Joscha Bach: Only a simulation can be conscious
April 19, 2025Posted by Federico Ulfo
Cognitive scientist Joscha Bach and host Curt Jaimungal explore the simulation hypothesis, suggesting our reality is a computational simulation where time and consciousness emerge from underlying processes. Bach argues that consciousness exists only within simulations, not physical systems, as the brain creates a virtual reality model of the self and world, with consciousness emerging as a simulated property of this model. He views time as an emergent construct of computational state transitions and existence as equally valid in a simulation, challenging traditional notions of consciousness tied to physical substrates like brains and blurring the distinction between simulated and base realities.