Venting Simulation Hypothesis and the Problem of Evil

[broken_stoic]

I won't chime in on the probability of our reality being a computer simulation. Also this isn't anything all that insightful or original, but it just struck me as a much clearer example of an old problem. Given that simulating a world is a more tangible possibility that we could imagine actually achieving, it strikes me more clearly than if we put god at the helm.

If I were to look at the world and discovered it was a simulation, I would think one of three things.

1. The entity running the simulation is out of control or absent
2. The entity running the simulation is incompetent
3. The entity running the simulation is not benevolent

I think the same conclusions follow if you replace the simulator with god. And honestly I don't know which conclusion frightens me more.

An aside, if we can ever simulate sentient beings, I hope we are very careful, in control, and good to them.