Non-existence

[Ryft]

Occam's Razor very much does apply ...

1. You tried to undercut Dagda's argument by pointing out that no person could really believe such a thing (it is just "mental masturbation") because even that person would not step into the path of a fast-moving vehicle. That criticism is an Epic Fail, however, because the simulation mimics what we call the laws of physics. That is, someone who believes the world is a Matrix-like simulation would not step in front of a vehicle and his refusal would be consistent with his view (i.e., his refusal proves nothing either way).

2. Occam's razor can certainly apply, sure. I never suggested otherwise. But applying it would not help, however, because (as I said) it would not test for truth when given these two empirically equivalent conclusions about the nature of reality. 'Parsimony' is not a synonym for 'true'.

3. Moreover, Occam's razor can neither establish nor disconfirm that the assumptions are unnecessary. If the world is in fact a simulation, then such assumptions would turn out to square with reality. The only way you could assert that the assumptions are unnecessary is to Beg the Question (fallacy) on the nature of reality.