A timely volume that uses science fiction as a springboard to meaningful philosophical discussions, especially at points of contact between science fiction and new scientific developments.
- Raises questions and examines timely themes concerning the nature of the mind, time travel, artificial intelligence, neural enhancement, free will, the nature of persons, transhumanism, virtual reality, and neuroethics
- Draws on a broad range of books, films and television series, including The Matrix, Star Trek, Blade Runner, Frankenstein, Brave New World, The Time Machine, and Back to the Future
- Considers the classic philosophical puzzles that appeal to the general reader, while also exploring new topics of interest to the more seasoned academic
Sources and Acknowledgments
Introduction
Thought Experiments: Science Fiction as a Window into Philosophical Puzzles (Susan Schneider).
Part I: Could I be in a “Matrix” or Computer Simulation? Related Works: The Matrix; Permutation City; The 13th Floor; Vanilla Sky; Total Recall; Animatrix
1. Brain in a Vat (John Pollock).
2. Are You In a Computer Simulation (Nick Bostrom).
3. Excerpt from The Republic Plato
4. Excerpt from The Meditations on First Philosophy (René Descartes).
5. The Matrix as Metaphysics (David J. Chalmers).
Part II: What Am I? Free Will and the Nature of Persons Related Works: Software; Star Trek, The Next Generation: Second Chances; Mindscan; The Matrix; Minority Report
6. Where Am I (Daniel C. Dennett).
7. Personal Identity (Eric Olson).
8. Divided Minds and the Nature of Persons (Derek Parfit).lĂ
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