The Case Against Reality

Synopsis

SHORTLISTED FOR THE PHYSICS WORLD BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019

'One of the deepest and most original thinkers of his generation of cognitive scientists. His startling argument has implications for philosophy, science, and how we understand the world around us' Steven Pinker

'Is reality virtual? It's a question made even more interesting by this book' Barbara Kiser, Nature

Do we see the world as it truly is? In The Case Against Reality, pioneering cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman says no? we see what we need in order to survive. Our visual perceptions are not a window onto reality, Hoffman shows us, but instead are interfaces constructed by natural selection. The objects we see around us are not unlike the file icons on our computer desktops: while shaped like a small folder on our screens, the files themselves are made of a series of ones and zeros - too complex for most of us to understand. In a similar way, Hoffman argues, evolution has shaped our perceptions into simplistic illusions to help us navigate the world around us. Yet now these illusions can be manipulated by advertising and design.

Drawing on thirty years of Hoffman's own influential research, as well as evolutionary biology, game theory, neuroscience, and philosophy, The Case Against Reality makes the mind-bending yet utterly convincing case that the world is nothing like what we see through our eyes.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Illusion of Consciousness

* Argues that consciousness is not an intrinsic property of the brain but rather an illusion created by the brain's activity.
* Example: Brain scans show that conscious experiences are not localized to specific areas of the brain but are distributed throughout.

Chapter 2: The Placeholder Self

* Contends that the self is not a fixed entity but rather a collection of transient experiences that are held together by our brains.
* Example: People with amnesia often lose their sense of self and cannot recall their past experiences.

Chapter 3: The Tyranny of Externalism

* Questions the idea that reality is objective and external to our minds.
* Example: Optical illusions demonstrate that our perceptions of the world can be distorted by external factors.

Chapter 4: The Co-creative Universe

* Proposes that reality is not something that exists independently of us but rather something that we actively participate in creating through our interactions with the world.
* Example: The act of observing a quantum particle affects its behavior, suggesting that reality is not independent of the observer.

Chapter 5: The Simulation Hypothesis

* Explores the possibility that our reality is a simulated world created by advanced beings.
* Example: Recent advances in artificial intelligence raise questions about the nature of our own intelligence and the possibility that we are living in a simulated reality.

Chapter 6: The Holographic Universe

* Suggests that reality may exist as a holographic projection, similar to a 3D image created by a 2D hologram.
* Example: Studies of brain waves have shown similarities to the patterns seen in holograms.

Chapter 7: The Panpsychist Challenge

* Considers the theory that consciousness is a fundamental property of all matter, from the smallest atoms to the largest galaxies.
* Example: Some experiments have suggested that even inanimate objects may exhibit consciousness-like behaviors.

Chapter 8: The Perennial Quest

* Explores the human search for meaning and purpose in an increasingly complex and uncertain world.
* Example: The recent rise of spiritual and mystical traditions suggests a renewed interest in transcending the limitations of perceived reality.

Chapter 9: The Way Forward

* Concludes with a call for a radical re-examination of our understanding of reality and the nature of our own consciousness.
* Example: The author encourages readers to question their own beliefs, explore alternative perspectives, and embrace the possibility that reality may be more mysterious and interconnected than we ever imagined.