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Free will or pleasure? Which is more important to you? Let& #39;s find out with a twist on Robert Nozick& #39;s famous Experience Machine thought experiment.
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First, the original for context:
Image a machine you plug into that simulates reality, like the Matrix. You can choose what you want to experience, allowing you to live the life you& #39;ve always dreamed of. Once connected, you won& #39;t know you are, so you won& #39;t question this reality.
Image a machine you plug into that simulates reality, like the Matrix. You can choose what you want to experience, allowing you to live the life you& #39;ve always dreamed of. Once connected, you won& #39;t know you are, so you won& #39;t question this reality.
Now consider Machine A:
Instead of getting to program or select your desired life, it will be pre-selected for you by the machine. It will analyze a profile about you to select an experience that maximizes your satisfaction and pleasure.
Instead of getting to program or select your desired life, it will be pre-selected for you by the machine. It will analyze a profile about you to select an experience that maximizes your satisfaction and pleasure.
Now Machine B:
In this machine you get to live freely, making your own choices. You won& #39;t get absolute pleasure, but will have a life on par with that of an average citizen in a first-world country. You& #39;ll have a normal life with ups and downs, but you& #39;ll be more happy than not.
In this machine you get to live freely, making your own choices. You won& #39;t get absolute pleasure, but will have a life on par with that of an average citizen in a first-world country. You& #39;ll have a normal life with ups and downs, but you& #39;ll be more happy than not.
So which do you choose?
If you selected Machine A, then you value hedonism over freedom, and the opposite if you chose Machine B. If you& #39;re interested in a more in-depth exploration of this topic through the lens of Westworld, check out our essay here. https://multilarity.substack.com/p/the-free-will-of-westworld">https://multilarity.substack.com/p/the-fre...
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