Virtual Reality as a Catalyst for Thought
Philosophy Now|August/September 2020
Joakim Vindenes says VR could be a useful addition to the philosopher’s toolkit.
Joakim Vindenes
Virtual Reality as a Catalyst for Thought

Virtual Reality is in some ways a simple concept: it can be reduced to an act of representation, symbolism, or language. Through technological means – be it a pencil or a VR headset – we can represent the past as we remember it and the future as we imagine it. Through language and imagery, we can maintain the human culture of sharing information by exteriorizing what previously was only known to us internally – creating outside of ourselves what was previously only accessible in the language of our minds. So in conceptual terms, even the first cave painting was a kind of Virtual Reality. Through that painting, humans could represent their thoughts and designs as an external, objective reality, chalked to the wall of a cave. In some ways, though, language was the first kind of Virtual Reality. With language we could make what was previously only inside our minds exist as something between us – just as now, while you are reading this article, a world of meaning exists between us, mediated by the words on the paper or screen.

Although language and VR are similar in conceptual terms, there is a crucial difference between mere language and actual VR technologies. Through the technology of Virtual Reality we are able to project our thoughts and our designs not as abstract conventions but in terms of the lived reality we inhabit. We can externalize our ideas in the format of reality. Language has the capability of allowing us to tell stories, but in Virtual Reality we have the capability of living those stories, not through the mind’s eye or the imagination, but through our everyday means of navigating the world via our senses. VR can immerse subjects in lively, dynamic, virtual worlds.

This story is from the August/September 2020 edition of Philosophy Now.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August/September 2020 edition of Philosophy Now.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PHILOSOPHY NOWView All
Anselm (1033-1109)
Philosophy Now

Anselm (1033-1109)

Martin Jenkins recalls the being of the creator of the ontological argument.

time-read
8 mins  |
October/November 2024
Is Brillo Box an Illustration?
Philosophy Now

Is Brillo Box an Illustration?

Thomas E. Wartenberg uses Warhol's work to illustrate his theory of illustration.

time-read
8 mins  |
October/November 2024
Why is Freedom So Important To Us?
Philosophy Now

Why is Freedom So Important To Us?

John Shand explains why free will is basic to humanity.

time-read
6 mins  |
October/November 2024
The Funnel of Righteousness
Philosophy Now

The Funnel of Righteousness

Peter Worley tells us how to be right, righter, rightest.

time-read
10+ mins  |
October/November 2024
We're as Smart as the Universe Gets
Philosophy Now

We're as Smart as the Universe Gets

James Miles argues, among other things, that E.T. will be like Kim Kardashian, and that the real threat of advanced AI has been misunderstood.

time-read
10+ mins  |
October/November 2024
Managing the Mind
Philosophy Now

Managing the Mind

Roger Haines contemplates how we consciously manage our minds.

time-read
9 mins  |
October/November 2024
lain McGilchrist's Naturalized Metaphysics
Philosophy Now

lain McGilchrist's Naturalized Metaphysics

Rogério Severo looks at the brain to see the world anew.

time-read
10+ mins  |
October/November 2024
Love & Metaphysics
Philosophy Now

Love & Metaphysics

Peter Graarup Westergaard explains why love is never just physical, with the aid of Donald Davidson's anomalous monism.

time-read
6 mins  |
October/November 2024
Mary Leaves Her Room
Philosophy Now

Mary Leaves Her Room

Nigel Hems asks, does Mary see colours differently outside her room?

time-read
7 mins  |
October/November 2024
From Birds To Brains
Philosophy Now

From Birds To Brains

Jonathan Moens considers whether emergence can explain minds from brains.

time-read
7 mins  |
October/November 2024