A Defense of Simulated Experience

New Noble Lies

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Cover of the book A Defense of Simulated Experience by Mark Silcox, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mark Silcox ISBN: 9780429663499
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: December 7, 2018
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Mark Silcox
ISBN: 9780429663499
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: December 7, 2018
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book defends an account of the positive psychological, ethical, and political value of simulated human experience. Philosophers from Plato and Augustine to Heidegger, Nozick, and Baudrillard have warned us of the dangers of living on too heavy a diet of illusion and make-believe. But contemporary cultural life provides broader, more attractive opportunities to do so than have existed at any other point in history. The gentle forms of self-deceit that such experiences require of us, and that so many have regarded as ethically unwholesome or psychologically self-destructive, can in fact serve as vital means to political reconciliation, cultural enrichment, and even (a kind of) utopia.

The first half of the book provides a highly schematic definition of simulated experience and compares it with some claims about the nature of simulation made by other philosophers about what it is for one thing to be a simulation of another. The author then provides a critical survey of the views of some major authors about the value of certain specific types of simulated experience, mainly in order to point out the many puzzling inconsistencies and ambiguities that their thoughts upon the topic often exhibit. In the second half of the book, the author defends an account of the positive social value of simulated experience and compares his own position to the ideas of a number of utopian political thinkers, as well as to Plato's famous doctrine of the "noble lie." He then makes some tentative practical suggestions about how a proper appreciation of the value of simulated experience might influence public policy decisions about such matters as the justification of taxation, paternalistic "choice management," and governmental transparency.

A Defense of Simulated Experience will appeal to a broad range of  philosophers working in normative ethics, aesthetics, the philosophy of technology, political philosophy, and the philosophy of culture who are interested in questions about simulated experience. The book also makes a contribution to the emerging field of Game Studies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book defends an account of the positive psychological, ethical, and political value of simulated human experience. Philosophers from Plato and Augustine to Heidegger, Nozick, and Baudrillard have warned us of the dangers of living on too heavy a diet of illusion and make-believe. But contemporary cultural life provides broader, more attractive opportunities to do so than have existed at any other point in history. The gentle forms of self-deceit that such experiences require of us, and that so many have regarded as ethically unwholesome or psychologically self-destructive, can in fact serve as vital means to political reconciliation, cultural enrichment, and even (a kind of) utopia.

The first half of the book provides a highly schematic definition of simulated experience and compares it with some claims about the nature of simulation made by other philosophers about what it is for one thing to be a simulation of another. The author then provides a critical survey of the views of some major authors about the value of certain specific types of simulated experience, mainly in order to point out the many puzzling inconsistencies and ambiguities that their thoughts upon the topic often exhibit. In the second half of the book, the author defends an account of the positive social value of simulated experience and compares his own position to the ideas of a number of utopian political thinkers, as well as to Plato's famous doctrine of the "noble lie." He then makes some tentative practical suggestions about how a proper appreciation of the value of simulated experience might influence public policy decisions about such matters as the justification of taxation, paternalistic "choice management," and governmental transparency.

A Defense of Simulated Experience will appeal to a broad range of  philosophers working in normative ethics, aesthetics, the philosophy of technology, political philosophy, and the philosophy of culture who are interested in questions about simulated experience. The book also makes a contribution to the emerging field of Game Studies.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Thinking German Translation by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Organizational Cognition by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book A Paradise Inhabited by Devils by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book The Plays and Poems of Nicholas Rowe, Volume I by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Benchmark Tasks for Job Analysis by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Why Simple Wins by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Market Economy and Urban Change by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Land Degradation, Desertification and Climate Change by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Global Competition and Local Networks by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Parliamentary Enclosure in England by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Socio-Legal Integration by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book The Southern Shores of the Mediterranean and its Networks by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Communications in Africa, 1880–1939, Volume 1 by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Petrie's Ptolemaic and Roman Memphis by Mark Silcox
Cover of the book Tabloid Terror by Mark Silcox
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy