Reality+ : virtual worlds and the problems of philosophy / David J. Chalmers ; illustrations by Tim Peacock.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [471]-503) and index.

Introduction: Adventures in technophilosophy — Part 1: Virtual worlds. Is this the real life? — What is the simulation hypothesis? — Part 2: Knowledge. Do we know things? — Can we prove there is an external world? — Is it likely that we're in a simulation? — Part 3: Reality. What is reality? — Is God a hacker in the next universe up? — Is the universe made of information? — Did simulation create its from bits? — Part 4: Real virtual reality. Do virtual reality headsets create reality? — Are virtual reality devices illusion machines? — Does augmented reality lead to alternative facts? — Can we avoid being deceived by deepfakes? — Part 5: Mind. How do mind and body interact in a virtual world? — Can there be consciousness in a digital world? — Does augmented reality extend the mind? — Part 6: Value. Can you lead a good life in a virtual world? — Do simulated lives matter? — How should we build a virtual society? — Part 7: Foundations. What do our words mean in virtual worlds? — Do dust clouds run computer programs? — Is reality a mathematical structure? — Have we fallen from the Garden of Eden? — Are we Boltzmann brains in a dream world?

"A leading philosopher takes a mind-bending journey through virtual worlds, illuminating the nature of reality and our place within it. Virtual reality is genuine reality. That's the central thesis of Reality+. In a highly original work of "technophilosophy," David J. Chalmers argues that virtual worlds generated by computers are not second-class worlds. We can live a meaningful life in virtual reality. We may even be living in a computer simulation already-and if we are, that's not so bad. What is reality, anyway? How do we know there's an external world? What's the relation between mind and body? How can we lead a good life? Is there a god? In Reality+, Chalmers conducts a grand tour of philosophy, using virtual worlds to illuminate all of these questions and to provide new answers to many of them. Studded with illustrations that bring philosophical issues to life, Reality+ is a major statement that will shape discussion of philosophy and technology for years to come"-- Provided by publisher.