The human species may just be an extremely complex computer simulation.
A recent study out of the University of Bonn in Germany reignites this long-argued and controversial debate.
According to the simulation argument, the human species will be extinct before ever reaching a point of singularity due to the extreme unlikely possibility that a post-human species would create simulations of their own evolutionary histories.
The theory goes on to argue that there is a high amount of certainty that we are currently living in a computer simulation, however, there is a very small amount of certainty regarding our role as post humans.
Many scholars from around the globe have provided their own opinions on the subject, both professional and personal.
Peter S. Jenkins, co-author of “Historical Simulations – Motivational, Ethical and Legal Issues,” argues that the future of the human species will be likely to utilize advanced technology to create historical simulations. This prediction supports the idea that we are in fact forms of artificial intelligence within our own computer simulation.
Author Barry Dainton wrote an abstract response to the study and pointed out that regardless of whether or not computers have the ability to sustain consciousness, the idea that we are living in a simulated reality is still a valid theory.
Swedish Philosopher Nick Bostrom, one of the pioneers of the simulation argument, poses the question,
“If we are in a simulation, could we ever know for certain?” The following are responses, both supporting and opposing, to this inquisition.
Anthony Gomez, 20 and an old oil field worker, brought god into the argument.
“If life is a so-called computer simulation, there has to be some type of creator and I don’t believe the creator would allow the simulation to be conscious of its own existence,” Gomez said. “Maybe god is some kind of computer genius.”
22-year-old computer expert Nathaniel Hamilton was more than eager to discuss the possibilities of life being one giant computer simulation.
“On one hand, I can see where the simulation argument is flawed,” Hamilton said. “There isn’t enough conclusive evidence pointing to where our species progresses to once our simulation ends.
“I think its possible that the universe is really just a giant super computer, but that leaves us wondering, who or what created the computer?”
Some students on campus even have an opinion.
BC student Aaron Newman, 19, said that the argument was interesting but lacked any real plausibility.
“Lets say we do live in a computer simulation, what’s the point?” Newman asked. “Unless we have the ability to manipulate the simulation to benefit our species, I don’t see an actual purpose.”
Regardless of the flaws, the argument that the human species exists as some type of “matrix-like” computer simulation continues to rile up scholars from all over the globe. As technology continues to advance, the world gets closer to unveiling the answers to some of the biggest questions in the universe.