Do we live in God's (or some god's) simulation?

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Wednesday, February 22. 2023

Do we live in God's (or some god's) simulation?

It must be Ash Wednesday. None of us have a doctorate in metaphysics nowadays (I think), but is life just a dream?

I like to imagine that my life has my own steering wheel, but I am not sure about that. I do know that all lives have or need some sort of anchorage, centering, lodestar - whatever. Do we live in a God's simulation? Is that Judeo-Christian view?

Best if I shut up before writing more. Not qualified.

Posted by Bird Dog at 17:40 | Comments (9) | Trackbacks (0)

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I am pleased that you have posed this question. It is nice to know there is someone out there other than I who has contemplated this question. Though I am a vary rational logical person, from time to time it seems to me that I have simply conjured up a solution to a problem I have had. All vary minor and not when intentionally trying. That never seems to works.
When looking into space, it seems that we are in a video game, where the creator has not bothered to fill in the additional back ground. Try driving off track in a video racing game and you will soon hit the abyss. The creator never bothered to add the background more than several feet from the track on ether side.
I wish we knew the answers to these questions. It would greatly help in planning ones future.

#1 Phil Taylor on 2023-02-22 19:14 (Reply)

The Greeks tackled this back before antiquity. Pretty sure it's settled science.

#2 ccoffer on 2023-02-22 19:34 (Reply)

Whatever this is, it's a simulation of some kind. Our own. God's. Nature's. Something/someone.

Not sure it really matters though. Not even sure it matters if we have free will or if there is some level of predetermination. What matters is what we choose.

I've always felt as if God is like the producer/director of a film. Gives direction and backs off, with occasional input in a manner that the audience barely notices - or hopefully doesn't at all.

#3 Bulldog on 2023-02-22 21:45 (Reply)

Enough already with this the-universe-is-just-some-big simulation bushwah. Y'all sound like drunken sophomore slacker wannabees jabbering at each other sitting on the hallway floor in the dorm.

If you're bothered about the abyss, go out in the garage and whack your finger with a hammer. That'll snap you out of that foolishness, right quick.

#4 Mike Anderson (Link) on 2023-02-22 23:01 (Reply)

Thinking of life as a simulation cheapens its meaning and liquidates its joy. Lighten up, Francis. Have a glass of wine or a cold beer and indulge some quiet contemplation, ruminate on the most beautiful visions, the most fulfilling experiences, the most memorable and compelling sensations, and the strongest emotions, unpleasant and pleasant, that have ever coursed through the fiber of your earthly being. Then have the grace to give thanks and say a prayer for those that have not been as fortunate as you to have these gifts.

#5 Aggie on 2023-02-22 23:41 (Reply)

Like a fish not realizing it lives in water, we can't know. God loves the universe into existence. If that's a "simulation" or not, I'm not certain it matters one way or the other. He created the universe, set up the rules, and does directly interact with His creation. But, we do have agency, so I think it's not a simulation.

#6 Mark on 2023-02-23 07:34 (Reply)

I have always thought that the "we live in a simulation" idea is very sophomoric and silly. It is non-falsifiable, and answers no questions, makes no predictions-- so in what sense is it meaningful? It is a case of syntax without semantics.

Similarly I tend to view metaphysics as content-free. Nature (broadly defined as everything that exists and happens) seems itself to be incredibly subtle and mysterious--and that's just plain "physics", no meta- needed.

If you find yourself mooning that you've seen it all, there has to be more than this, etc, just ponder the double-slit experiment for a while, and you'll quickly find that the feeling goes away. Or, just go for a walk in the woods and pay attention to your senses.

If that still leaves you hungry for "meaning", go do something kind for someone else, and repeat as necessary.

#7 Hairless Joe on 2023-02-23 09:02 (Reply)

Do we live in God's (or some god's) simulation?

This is not a question that I lay awake nights worrying about.

#8 feeblemind on 2023-02-23 14:15 (Reply)

I saw a meme image that seemed to sum it up

"I think God talks to me the way I talk to deer when I'm driving"

"Don't do it". "Don't be stupid it will hurt", etc.

Seems likely to me. God doesn't direct, but is you listen he will advise.

#9 JKB on 2023-02-23 17:26 (Reply)

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Wednesday, February 22. 2023

Do we live in God's (or some god's) simulation?