Nozick's experience machine: An empirical study. (17th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hindriks, Frank; Douven, Igor
• Is Part Of: Philosophical psychology. Volume 31:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 278
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2018-02-17
• Subjects: Experience machine -- happiness -- Nozick; Psychology -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Philosophy -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 150.1
• DOI: 10.1080/09515089.2017.1406600
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-5089

Abstract

Abstract: Many philosophers deny that happiness can be equated with pleasurable experiences. Nozick introduced an experience machine thought experiment to support the idea that happiness requires pleasurable experiences that are "in contact with reality." In this thought experiment, people can choose to plug into a machine that induces exclusively pleasurable experiences. We test Nozick's hypothesis that people will reject this offer. We also contrast Nozick's experience machine scenario with scenarios that are less artificial, and offer options which are less invasive or disruptive than being connected to a machine, specifically scenarios in which people are offered an experience pill or a pill that improves overall functioning.