Does virtual reality offer us a better life, or is it just an escape from reality? Between reality and virtuality, what values should we choose?
Released in 1999, the film ‘The Matrix’ begins with the shocking premise that the reality we live in could be a virtual reality created by a computer program. This film made audiences deeply contemplate the boundary between true reality and virtual reality. Such virtual reality settings are found not only in ‘The Matrix’ but across various media, including films like ‘Vanilla Sky’ and ‘Inception’ which utilize the motif of dreams. The dream settings in these films share a common thread with virtual reality in that they present a new reality so strikingly similar to daily life it’s incomparable. The films mentioned above about virtual reality suggest that people hold significant interest in this concept. This interest is growing alongside technological advancements, and as virtual reality technology becomes capable of providing experiences indistinguishable from reality, people are increasingly immersing themselves in these concepts.
These media depictions of virtual reality typically envision a virtual world superior to reality. Such imaginings are often intertwined with optimistic outlooks on technological progress. Various scenarios depicting how virtual reality could transform human life reflect both our hopes and anxieties about the future. Additionally, the films mentioned above sometimes show scenes where individuals, confronted with the problems and absurdities of reality, cannot bear its weight and escape into virtual reality. In the film ‘The Matrix’, there is a scene where Cypher, promised a comfortable life within The Matrix by the machines, betrays the protagonist’s group and shoots his companions with a gun. In the film ‘Vanilla Sky’, there is a scene where the protagonist, frustrated by facial disfigurement, finds vicarious satisfaction in a dream. Seeing characters make such choices under the unbearable weight of reality, people might compare it to their own reality and feel the temptation to escape.
However, escaping into virtual reality is fundamentally flawed. Virtual reality, by its very nature as a simulation, possesses inherently different properties from reality. This is readily apparent when observing how society places immense value on authenticity. Genuine items and counterfeits, which even experts struggle to distinguish, may appear similar at first glance, yet society assigns a significant difference in value between them. This is because the genuine article possesses the essential attribute of being ‘real’. While the concept of essence is vague and difficult to define, society already places great value on this attribute, and it is an existential value. Furthermore, the difference between reality and virtual reality is also clearly evident in our experiences and memories. Experiences in reality remain in our memories over time, forming crucial parts of our lives, whereas experiences in virtual reality cannot compare in depth and meaning to those in reality.
Some might argue that this value of essence is lost if one chooses virtual reality and becomes ignorant of reality. However, at the point of choosing between virtual reality and reality, we must not overlook the value reality holds precisely because it is ‘real’. Choosing virtual reality might erase all memories and promise a better life, but at that very moment, one abandons the essential value of reality. Consider buying a famous work of art. If the seller sold a near-perfect replica, would the buyer, unaware, perceive it as having the same value as the genuine piece? Even if the buyer remains unaware, the genuine work possesses an inherent value unique to it. This value is one society assigns exclusively to reality. Even if a better life is possible in virtual reality, abandoning this value is not right.
Some might place greater value on the comfortable life achievable in virtual reality than on the intrinsic value of reality. But in this sense, choosing virtual reality is akin to escaping reality. Even when reality is tough and difficult, enduring it is the right thing to do. Consider how society celebrates the success stories of those who strive harder and succeed, rather than those who give up and accept a difficult reality. This shows that choosing to endure a tough reality and working hard holds great value. While escaping into virtual reality may seem appealing, there is greater value in living within the hardships of reality. In this sense, escaping into virtual reality ultimately amounts to avoiding problems in reality rather than solving them.
Another issue is the question of free will within virtual reality. Consider a man and woman falling in love within a virtual world. Can we truly say these feelings stem from their individual will? They could be emotions created by the virtual reality’s administrator, or even if not, they might be feelings induced by the situation. People within the virtual reality might believe they are genuinely in love, but this could actually be a manufactured emotion. In a situation dominated by a virtual reality system, can one truly claim that their actions stem from their own free will? Virtual reality inherently contains elements that can restrict an individual’s free will and choices.
Some might argue that it doesn’t matter if one is unaware their freedom has been taken away. Even if the emotions they feel are actually fabricated, if they are unaware of this fact, they might believe they are free. However, this is a mistaken belief. Consider a nation ruled by corrupt leaders. If these leaders conceal this fact from the people, is it acceptable for the exploited citizens to remain unaware of their exploitation? If these leaders provide false information to make the people believe they are good, can the citizens truly be said to have freely chosen to live in this country? Of course, the people would believe they chose freely, but in such circumstances, it’s difficult to consider their judgment as truly free will. When a system exists that controls them, their free will can always be compromised, which is why we must choose to live within reality. Moreover, the difficulties and challenges we face in reality foster our growth and make our lives more meaningful.
Many people, bumping into the tough walls of reality, imagine a sweet virtual reality. The fascination of such people is expressed in various forms through media like movies and novels. Virtual reality can temporarily make us forget the problems of reality, but it cannot be the solution to those problems. However, we must consider the value that reality, distinct from virtual reality, possesses. A virtual reality that seems sweet at first glance may differ from the utopia we envision. We must not be blinded by the sweetness of virtual reality and make misguided choices. Deeply contemplating the value and meaning of reality, and pursuing growth and development within it, will bring us true happiness.
