Non-existence

[Kyuuketsuki]

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).

Actually no, that was simply a cynical addendum and not an essential part of the argument and yes I very much believe this kind of bollocks is mental masturbation because, as I have repeatedly said, we assume the world is real ... it is far and away the simplest explanation. In other words, to accept as valid any explanation outside of the base assumption we require evidence and as you have already pointed out there is none ... case closed!

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'.

I agree it doesn't test for truth, as I said above it is an assumption that the world is real no more ... but any other explanation so far suggested raises the complexity to such insane levels that they are not worth considering except as exercises in what might be (hence my cynical reference to mental masturbation).

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.

And again see above!

Kyu