The Intersection of Hilary Lawson's Theory, the Simulation Theory, and the Quantum Theory of Reality

"The Intersection of Hilary Lawson's Theory, the Simulation Theory, and the Quantum Theory of Reality"

Introduction

Contemporary philosophical theories, particularly those dealing with the nature of reality, perception, and the interaction between consciousness and the world, present fertile ground for new approaches. 

Among them, Hilary Lawson's theory of closure, the Simulation Theory, and quantum theories of reality, especially those based on quantum relativity, offer intriguing possibilities when interrelated. 

This article explores how these three approaches can combine to provide a more dynamic and interactive view of reality. The central proposal is that reality is not a linear or fixed system, but an interactive experience in which the subject "enters" a designed architecture, interacts with it, and "closes" their own experience, constructing a personal narrative within limits that are both flexible and interconnected with the whole.

1. Hilary Lawson's Theory of Closure

Hilary Lawson, a British philosopher, introduced the theory of closure, which opposes the traditional idea that reality exists objectively and independently of human perception. Lawson argues that reality is not given, but constructed through the interaction between the subject and the world. 

Closure is the process by which our minds impose structures and categories onto what we experience, creating a coherent sense of reality, even when that reality is fluid and indeterminate. For Lawson, reality is open and always subject to reconfiguration, but closure allows the subject to live within a world that can be understood and experienced functionally.

From this perspective, we can understand "closure" as the way we give shape to our experience. However, closure is not a rigid imposition; it is flexible and dynamic, allowing new interpretations and meanings to emerge as the subject interacts with the world.

2. The Simulation Theory: A Technological Approach

The Simulation Theory, popularized by philosophers like Nick Bostrom, suggests that the reality in which we live may not be the true reality but rather a simulation, an artificially designed universe created by a superior entity or a technologically advanced civilization.

 Bostrom proposed that, if an advanced civilization had the ability to create sufficiently realistic simulations, it would be plausible that we live within one of these simulations. While this theory is based on the idea of an artificial simulation, it also raises interesting questions about the subject’s perception and interaction with the simulated reality.

The proposal here is not to consider simulation as something entirely separate from human experience, but rather as a technological interface through which the subject "enters" a designed reality. In this sense, simulation would be more of an interface that provides a real-life experience, not an illusion. 

The subject, when interacting with the simulation, is not a passive receiver of stimuli, but an active agent who shapes and "closes" their experience within the structure provided by the interface.

3. The Quantum Theory of Reality and Quantum Relativity

The quantum theory of reality, particularly in the context of quantum relativity, suggests that reality is composed of a set of probabilities and possibilities, rather than being a deterministic and fixed system. 

Quantum relativity proposes that the laws of physics, at the subatomic level, allow for a multiplicity of realities to manifest depending on the observation and interaction of the subject with the system. In other words, reality is not a static set of events, but a field of possibilities that solidify through interaction with the subject.

When interrelating this theory with the Simulation Theory and Lawson’s theory of closure, we can understand that reality is, in a sense, a technological interface (or "simulation") that allows the subject to navigate a sea of quantum possibilities. 

The subject, when interacting with this interface, "closes" their experience, creating a personal narrative within a set of limits that are not completely fixed but open to new possibilities. 

The ability to alter or choose different "paths" within the simulation and interact with quantum probabilities can be seen as a form of "closing" the reality as the subject builds their own experience within this network of possibilities.

4. Integrating the Theories: Closure, Simulation, and Quantum Reality

When we combine these three approaches — Lawson’s theory of closure, the Simulation Theory, and the quantum theory of reality — we gain a new and dynamic perspective on the nature of reality. 

Reality, instead of being seen as a fixed structure or a simulation separate from human experience, is understood as an interactive experience where the subject "enters" and, through interaction, begins to "close" their own experience. 

The subject, then, is not merely a passive observer, but a co-creator of reality, navigating a field of possibilities and building a personal narrative within the limits of the simulated interface.

This continuous interaction between the subject and reality can be seen as a process of "closing" the experience. Closure, here, is not a rigid limit, but a dynamic way of making sense of reality, while keeping it open for new possibilities and transformations. 

This vision integrates the flexibility of Lawson’s theory of closure with the idea of simulation as an interactive interface, and quantum relativity, which allows for a multiplicity of realities emerging from interaction.

5. Conclusion and Possible Developments

This integration of Lawson's theory, the Simulation Theory, and the quantum theory of reality offers a new approach to understanding the relationship between consciousness and reality. Instead of conceiving reality as something fixed or purely artificial, it is proposed that it is a real experience, but mediated by a technological interface that allows the subject to construct their own narrative within a network of quantum possibilities.

To date, the full integration of these three specific theories has not been extensively explored in academic or philosophical works. However, similar ideas can be found in discussions of simulated realities and the nature of consciousness, such as in the works of contemporary philosophers like David Chalmers and Nick Bostrom. 

The idea of a fluid, interactive reality based on possibilities also resonates with quantum philosophical approaches, such as those proposed by Donald Hoffman and other thinkers who explore the relationship between perception and reality.

References:

• Lawson, H. (2001). Closure: A Story of Everything. Cambridge University Press.

• Bostrom, N. (2003). Are You Living in a Computer Simulation? Philosophical Quarterly, 53(211), 243–255.

• Hoffman, D. (2019). The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes. Norton & Company.

• Chalmers, D. (1995). Facing Up to the Problem of Consciousness. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 2(3), 200–219.