Abstract

The development of virtual reality brings an old and historic question on the difference between the real world and unreal world. In this paper, starting from the concept of representation, I argued that what we call “virtual reality” is a representation of an actual or non-actual world and the criterion of difference between the “real world” and “virtual reality” is whether we present it with the intention of using it as a representation. After that, the thesis is demonstrated again from different theories of scientific representation. Therefore, the intuitive distinction between the “real world” and “virtual reality” can be drawn on the epistemological criterion; that is to say, the virtual world is a representation while the real world is not.

Highlights

  • Let us imagine a day you live in the real world and the virtual world, respectively: you get up early, wash and have breakfast, go to work

  • If you input them into the calculation system, you can see the curves on the computer, so as to determine ways to reduce the power required to move the vehicle on roadways at a given speed. All of this can be done in a virtual reality machine, which reduces the demand for wind tunnel testing, while obtaining the outcomes

  • In this paper, starting from the concept of representation, I argue that what we call “virtual reality” is a representation of an actual or non-actual world and the criterion of difference between the “real world” and “virtual reality” is whether we present it with the intention of using it as a representation

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Summary

Introduction

Let us imagine a day you live in the real world and the virtual world, respectively: you get up early, wash and have breakfast, go to work. If you input them into the calculation system, you can see the curves on the computer, so as to determine ways to reduce the power required to move the vehicle on roadways at a given speed All of this can be done in a virtual reality machine, which reduces the demand for wind tunnel testing, while obtaining the outcomes. The intuitive distinction between the “real world” and “virtual reality” cannot, be drawn on metaphysical criteria. In this paper, starting from the concept of representation, I argue that what we call “virtual reality” is a representation of an actual or non-actual world and the criterion of difference between the “real world” and “virtual reality” is whether we present it with the intention of using it as a representation. I attempt to use the fact of virtual reality as a test case for the different theories of scientific representation to assess which one(s) is/are better

Background
Argument for no Metaphysical Difference between Them
Virtual Reality and Overview of Different Theories of Representation
Analysis Based on the Minimal Definition so as to Achieve a Consensus
Ways to Represent
Degrees of Expression
Argument on Differences between the Two Worlds
Informational Theories
Functional Theories
Full Text
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