Journal articleprimarycontextVerified

Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?

Nick Bostrom · 2003 · Philosophical Quarterly, 53(211), 243–255

Spiritual Evidence Map/Last updated May 10, 2026/Claims v1.0.0-provisional/Sources v1.0.0/Scores provisional

Summary

Bostrom's original simulation-argument paper, presenting the trilemma between simulator extinction, lack of interest, and our living in a simulation.

Why it matters here

The canonical primary source for the simulation hypothesis as a philosophical argument.

Linked claims

Evidence score 3/10

Simulation Theory

Nick Bostrom's 2003 trilemma: civilizations don't reach the simulation stage, or don't run simulations, or we are almost certainly in one. The argument is rigorous; whether any horn is true is empirically open.

Related evidence hubs

Topic hub

Reality & Time

Physics-adjacent worldviews — block universe, many-worlds, simulation, free will.

Evidence pillar

Reality & time models

Block universe, presentism, eternalism, emergent time.

Evidence pillar

Physics-adjacent worldview theories

Many-worlds, simulation, mathematical universe.