Channel: The Royal Institution

Category: Science & Technology

Tags: metaversevirtual realityriroyal institutionmatrixcomputers

Description: What is virtual reality? Is virtual reality genuine reality? And might we already be living in a virtual reality? David J Chalmers explores how technophilosophy can help us understand virtual worlds and and whether we can live a meaningful life in virtual reality. Watch the Q&A: youtu.be/FCJNOY9WEh4 David's latest book, 'Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy' is available now: geni.us/EH4Yq In the coming decades, the technology that enables virtual and augmented reality will improve beyond recognition. Can we live a meaningful life in a virtual reality? Join world-renowned philosopher David J Chalmers and discover why virtual worlds are not second-class worlds. Using cutting-edge technology to provide invigorating new answers to age-old questions, David makes the radical argument that virtual reality is genuine reality. In this talk David will draw on examples from pop culture, literature and film that help bring philosophical issues to life. This will be a mind-bending journey through virtual worlds, illuminating the nature of reality and our place within it. David J Chalmers is a philosopher at New York University. Officially he is University Professor of Philosophy and Neural Science and co-director of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Consciousness. He is also Honorary Professor of Philosophy at the Australian National University and co-director of the PhilPapers Foundation. David is interested in the philosophy of mind (especially consciousness) and the foundations of cognitive science, as well the philosophy of language, metaphysics and epistemology, and many other areas. This talk was filmed on 25 January 2022. --- A very special thank you to our Patreon supporters who help make these videos happen, especially: Andy Carpenter, William Hudson, Richard Hawkins, Thomas Gønge, Don McLaughlin, Jonathan Sturm, Microslav Jarábek, Michael Rops, Supalak Foong, efkinel lo, Martin Paull, Ben Wynne-Simmons, Ivo Danihelka, Paulina Barren, Kevin Winoto, Jonathan Killin, Taylor Hornby, Rasiel Suarez, Stephan Giersche, William Billy Robillard, Scott Edwardsen, Jeffrey Schweitzer, Frances Dunne, jonas.app, Tim Karr, Adam Leos, Alan Latteri, Matt Townsend, John C. Vesey, Andrew McGhee, Robert Reinecke, Paul Brown, Lasse T Stendan, David Schick, Joe Godenzi, Dave Ostler, Osian Gwyn Williams, David Lindo, Roger Baker, Greg Nagel, Rebecca Pan. --- Subscribe for regular science videos: bit.ly/RiSubscRibe The Ri is on Patreon: patreon.com/TheRoyalInstitution and Twitter: twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: facebook.com/royalinstitution and Tumblr: ri-science.tumblr.com Our editorial policy: rigb.org/home/editorial-policy Subscribe for the latest science videos: bit.ly/RiNewsletter Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link.