The Concept of Strong and Weak Virtual Reality

Title: The Concept of Strong and Weak Virtual Reality

Research Question: How can we define and understand the concept of virtual reality, considering its relationship with consciousness and the human experience?

Methodology: The study uses set theory, specifically Sommerhoff's systemic definition of consciousness, to create a mathematical description of virtual reality. It introduces the concept of strong virtual reality, which characterizes collections of events that form a universe for ZFC set theory. The study then logically weakens strong virtual reality to obtain the concept of weak virtual reality, which characterizes collections of virtual reality-mediated events larger than the original universe.

Results: The study shows that the concept of strong virtual reality is not empty, as indicated by Aczel's relative consistency result on his non-wellfounded ZFC−+AFA set theory. Furthermore, using Baltag's Structural Theory of Sets (STS), the study demonstrates that Sommerhoff's first and second order self-awareness, as well as the concept of virtual reality, can be adequately modeled by the infinity modal logic of STS. The study proposes a structural unfolding process from strong to weak virtual reality, arguing that this process can become real in human history, supported by empirical evidence and theoretical aspects from physics.

Implications: The study provides a new perspective on virtual reality, linking it to consciousness and human experience. It suggests that the development of virtual reality technology may have limits, as the quality of virtual reality experiences could reach a point where further improvements would not be possible. The study also offers a mathematical framework for understanding and discussing virtual reality, which could be useful for researchers and developers in the field.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0312001v1 Authors: arXiv ID: 0312001v1