If all you value is your own experiences, then this would be just as good. You may value other things. For example, I value other people’s experiences, and I wouldn’t care about happy-looking NPCs. I’d be happier in that simulator, but I’d choose against it, because other things are important.
Other people could join in the simulation as well. Also, new people could be created, what’s the difference between being born in the “real world” and the simulated one? So they would be real people. It’s not fair to call them just “NPCs”.
Also, new people could be created, what’s the difference between being born in the “real world” and the simulated one?
If the simulation is sufficiently accurate to generate qualia, they’re real people. If it’s only sufficiently accurate to convince me that they’re real, they’re not. I agree that you can make a simulation that actually has people in it, but the point is that you can also make a simulation that makes me think my desires are fulfilled without actually fulfilling them. I have no desire to be so fooled.
If all you value is your own experiences, then this would be just as good. You may value other things. For example, I value other people’s experiences, and I wouldn’t care about happy-looking NPCs. I’d be happier in that simulator, but I’d choose against it, because other things are important.
Other people could join in the simulation as well. Also, new people could be created, what’s the difference between being born in the “real world” and the simulated one? So they would be real people. It’s not fair to call them just “NPCs”.
If the simulation is sufficiently accurate to generate qualia, they’re real people. If it’s only sufficiently accurate to convince me that they’re real, they’re not. I agree that you can make a simulation that actually has people in it, but the point is that you can also make a simulation that makes me think my desires are fulfilled without actually fulfilling them. I have no desire to be so fooled.