Western Philosophy & Psychology

5th Dinner – Bostrom’s Simulation Theory

Dawn

Philosopher Bostrom argues that we live in a simulated virtual reality generated by a previous civilization. Computer Scientist Rizwan Virk argues that we live in an immersive video game. When we set aside the doubts and questions of the "If" and the "How" for which Bostrom and Virk have excellent arguments, the next question is: how do we make the best out of this virtual reality called life?

The Invited Philosopher Dawn The Menu Main Course: Grilled Salmon with Caribbean salsa, basmati rice, and oven-baked asparagus. Dessert: Lime curd tart with lychee mango* Drink: Riesling Wine from Lucio's Wine Shop* *Courtesy of Dawn The Philosophy As technology advances with inventions that sounded like sci-fi only 20 years ago, such as self-driving cars, space travel for tourism, neuron computer interfaces, ultra-realistic immersive video games and simulations, and more powerful GPU computers and soon quantum computers, you will see Oxford’s Philosopher Bostrom’s Theory of our life as a simulated reality

discussed more frequently in the media. Soon the conversation will switch from “If” and “How” to “What” and “Why”. But Dawn and I, we are already there. See Bostrom’s short summary here, and read Computer Scientist Rizwan Virk’s compelling take on Bostrom’s theory. You may watch the movie The Matrix but a more obscure but equally relevant movie is ExistenZ. The Summary Bostrom considers the possibility that there will be a posthuman future in which humans have acquired the capacity to create virtual worlds that feel like the one we…

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French Philosogy, Western Philosophy & Psychology

3rd Dinner – Sartre’s Being and Nothingness

Gilles & Pedro

Sartre's Being and Nothingness contrasts hell and freedom by looking at human's essence and existence. Humans' need "to be something" causes hell on earth. The objectification of humans comes through the judgement of others or their own judgements of themselves, through roles and identities. Freedom, he argues, is to be nothing, to just exist.

The Invited Philosophers Gilles & Pedro The Menu First Course: Mediterranean salmon with dill and Za’atar sauce, couscous and oven-baked green beans Second Course: Cheese plate with multi-grain sourdough bread and crackers Dessert: Gilles Signature Almond Cake* Drinks: French Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Wine* *Courtesy of Gilles & Pedro The Philosophy Sartre’s Being and Nothingness is not an easy read but it is fascinating. The French edition of the book has 822 pages in small font. Gilles and Pedro did their homework when they came to dinner and taught me, through

our conversation, a lot of the nuances of L'Être et le Néant. Gilles, who is French, recounted how in France, philosophy is a required high school course. He accomplished a great feat by finding a French podcast, which summarizes the book with refreshing clarity and at times humor, and as the icing on the cake, we also hear Sartre himself speak. The Summary Our world is made of objects that are something based on their function or beingness. Most humans are objects too. The function of a phone, desk, car,…

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