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A book written by David J Chalmers.
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In the beginning, it presents the Simulation Hypothesis, Experiential Machine, and The Dream of the Butterfly, connecting them with Descartes’ skeptical arguments. The connection between Descartes’ “evil demon,” the computer in the simulation hypothesis, and the brain in a vat is interesting. The metaphor changes over time.
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Personally, I find it quite understandable (blu3mo). It seems like the purpose of this chapter is to break down the general common sense that things like the simulation hypothesis are impossible and to familiarize readers with Descartes’ skepticism, which is why it’s called the chapter on Global Skepticism.
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The book also strives to provide criticism of these ideas (blu3mo).
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It discusses Berkeley, Dogen’s Idealism, and Yuishiki’s Consciousness-only doctrine. These are different from global skepticism. While global skepticism denies the existence of the external world, idealism argues that the “appearance” (≒phenomenon?) itself exists. It’s similar to “I think, therefore I am,” but instead of deriving “I am” from “I think,” it derives the existence of “my thoughts/perceptions.”
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It presents various arguments and discussions, such as:
- Is the external world really there?
- Are we in a simulation?
- Do we have knowledge?