REALITY DOESN’T MATTER
Robert Nozick's "Experience Machine" is a well-known thought experiment against hedonism, the view according to which pleasure is the only thing that has intrinsic value. Nozick argued that the reluctance to plug into a machine offering only pleasurable simulated experiences indicates that people value reality itself. However, this interpretation is challenged by psychological factors, such as status quo bias and risk aversion, which may influence decisions. An inverted scenario—where participants are told their lives are simulated and offered the choice to unplug—further supports the role of cognitive biases in these preferences. This chapter also examines real-world parallels, such as virtual environments like Second Life, where users find meaning and fulfillment in simulated experiences.
