On the possible phenomenological autonomy of virtual realities

In the following article, I examine Martin Heidegger’s philosophy of dwelling with a view to its importance for the concept of ‘place’. It is my interest to show how a phenomenological concept of place can elucidate the phenomenology of virtual reality. I begin by contextualising the investigation t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Indo-Pacific journal of phenomenology
Main Author: Kofoed-Ottesen, Mathias (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Rhodes University 2020
In: The Indo-Pacific journal of phenomenology
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Malpas, Jeff 1958- / Virtual reality / Heidegger, Martin 1889-1976 / Being / Place / Phenomenology / Autonomy
RelBib Classification:AB Philosophy of religion; criticism of religion; atheism
AF Geography of religion
VA Philosophy
Further subjects:B Phenomenology
B Heidegger
B immersion
B telepresence
B Topology
B Virtual Reality
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:In the following article, I examine Martin Heidegger’s philosophy of dwelling with a view to its importance for the concept of ‘place’. It is my interest to show how a phenomenological concept of place can elucidate the phenomenology of virtual reality. I begin by contextualising the investigation through a presentation of Jeff Malpas’ concept of the non-autonomy of the virtual, and argue for a clearer understanding of the notion of causal non-autonomy. Furthermore, I argue that the autonomy or lack thereof of virtual reality should not lead to the conclusion that virtual reality cannot be experienced and examined as a self-standing entity; that in order to properly understand virtual reality, we cannot limit ourselves to the reductionistic view presented by Malpas, but must account also for the phenomenology of experiencing virtuality - and under such a phenomenological consideration, the distinctions made between non-virtual and virtual reality are made more diffuse. I then argue that we can plausibly accept that places may exist in virtual reality, despite current technological and practical limitations. In addition, I go on to consider some possible metaphysical differences between virtual and non-virtual places.
ISSN:1445-7377
Contains:Enthalten in: The Indo-Pacific journal of phenomenology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/20797222.2020.1857945