论查尔默斯“虚拟现实”及其伦理困境

On Chalmers’ Virtual Reality and Its Ethical Dilemma

随着科技的发展,人类对世界的探索欲逐渐从认识并改造这个物理世界,转向要创造另一个世界。在这个无神的世界,人类逐渐想要成为自己的神,从大自然的借住者成为新世界的造物主和未来生活的主宰者,这个新世界就是虚拟世界。如今,虚拟技术不断成熟,很多人认为其间的美好生活不再是想象,而是一种必将到来的现实。但是,进入虚拟世界(“元宇宙”)的人类真的有可能过上更美好的生活吗?面对这个问题,大卫·约翰·查尔默斯在他2022年初出版的书籍《现实+》中做了肯定的回答,他肯定地认为在未来人类在虚拟世界里能过上更美好的现实生活。然而这一论断未必能令所有人信服,其存在的伦理困境是如今与未来的人类必须要面对的。

With the development of technology, human exploration of the world has gradually shifted from understanding and transforming this physical world to creating another world. In this godless world, humans gradually want to become their own gods, borrowing from nature to become the creators of a new world and the masters of future life. This new world is the virtual world. Nowadays, virtual technology is constantly maturing, and many people believe that the beautiful life within it is no longer imagination, but a reality that will inevitably come. But is it really possible for humans entering the virtual world “metaverse” to live a better life? Faced with this question, David John Chalmers gave a positive answer in his book “Reality+” published in early 2022, stating that in the future, humans can live a better real life in the virtual world. However, this statement may not be convincing to everyone, as its ethical dilemma is something that humanity must face both today and in the future.