Get Real: A Philosophical Adventure in Virtual Reality

By Philip Zhai

Book Overview

A unique and highly controversial defense of the possibilities in our new technologies to expand our idea of what is real. Zhai's explanation of the role significance of virtual reality is eye-openeing and completely original.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0847689832
• ISBN13: 9780847689835
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

The Most Convincing Argument

I have never thought possible that thought experiments can guide us through a philosophical adventure in such an exciting manner. Zhai's argument that most of cognitive scientists have committed a "Fallacy of Unity Projection" is right to the point and seems to me to have conclusively ruled out the possibility of Strong AI. I agree with the previous reviewer that the argument against Strong AI in Zhai's book is carefully crafted and has the first two chapters prepare the way for it. I would like to see more of the discussion of the implications of VR for the foundation of civilization, though.

I meant to rate it 5 star

I wondered why my review was cut. I said chapters 1 and 2 prepare the starting point for the discussion of Strong AI in chapter 4, and that further invalidates Tosh's comments.