A Puzzle about Further Facts
arXiv Preprint Archive February 4, 2018 via arXiv
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe article explores metaphysical questions about 'further facts'—facts contingent on the physical structure of the universe, such as qualia, personal identity, and time. It presents a sequence of computer simulation examples, starting with one where a protagonist can clearly conclude such further facts exist and ending with one that mirrors our own condition. The sequence prompts the question of at what point, if any, the protagonist can no longer soundly conclude that further facts exist, challenging assumptions about the nature of reality and knowledge.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Physics.hist-ph |
| Key finding | Argues that a sequence of simulation thought experiments raises the question of when a protagonist can no longer soundly conclude that further facts about qualia, personal identity, or time exist. |
Abstract
In metaphysics, there are a number of distinct but related questions about the existence of "further facts" -- facts that are contingent relative to the physical structure of the universe. These include further facts about qualia, personal identity, and time. In this article I provide a sequence of examples involving computer simulations, ranging from one in which the protagonist can clearly conclude such further facts exist to one that describes our own condition. This raises the question of where along the sequence (if at all) the protagonist stops being able to soundly conclude that further facts exist.