Revisiting Simulation Theory Through the Cognitive Theoretical Model (CTMU)

Simulation theory has captured the imagination of many, suggesting that our reality might be an artificial construct, much like a complex computer simulation. While this idea has sparked debate across science and philosophy, the Cognitive Theoretical Model (CTMU) takes a different approach. Rather than proposing that we live in a simulation created by external beings, the CTMU redefines simulation as an intrinsic property of reality itself. In this framework, reality is a self-simulating system, where the boundaries between simulator and simulated dissolve.

In previous posts, we’ve explored the CTMU’s foundational principles, from interconnectivity to the nature of time. This post builds on those ideas by examining simulation theory through the lens of the CTMU. Christopher Langan explains in An Introduction to Mathematical Metaphysics:

Reality is not a simulation in the conventional sense, but a self-simulation—an infocognitive process in which reality models itself, by itself, for itself.

What Does It Mean to “Self-Simulate”?

Simulation theory often imagines reality as a program running on a supercomputer, with its creators existing outside the simulation. The CTMU rejects this notion of external simulation, asserting instead that reality is its own simulator. This is made possible through the concept of SCSPL (Self-Configuring Self-Processing Language), which frames reality as a self-referential system capable of modeling and evolving itself.

In this context, simulation does not require an external programmer or machine. Instead, the universe operates as a closed, self-contained system that generates its own states and interprets them internally. Each component of reality—whether physical, cognitive, or abstract—acts as both a participant in and a product of this self-simulation.

The Role of Cognition in Self-Simulation

Cognition plays a central role in the CTMU’s understanding of simulation. Langan argues that cognition is not limited to conscious beings but is embedded within the fabric of reality itself. “Reality simulates itself cognitively,” he writes, “by processing information recursively to maintain coherence and consistency.”

This perspective aligns with some interpretations of quantum mechanics, where the act of observation collapses a wave function into a definite state. In the CTMU, this “collapse” is not random but part of the universe’s intrinsic self-simulation, ensuring that its structure remains intelligible and self-consistent.

The Limitations of Traditional Simulation Theory

Traditional simulation theory relies on the assumption that an external entity—perhaps a highly advanced civilization—created our universe. This raises difficult questions: Who created the creators? What lies beyond their reality?

The CTMU addresses these issues by eliminating the need for external agents. Instead, it posits that reality is ontologically closed, meaning that nothing exists outside of it. As a self-simulating system, reality requires no external input or explanation. This solves the infinite regress problem often associated with traditional simulation theories.

Philosopher Nick Bostrom, who popularized simulation theory, acknowledges the challenges of proving or disproving it. While his arguments focus on the likelihood of advanced civilizations running simulations, the CTMU shifts the discussion to a more foundational level: the nature of reality itself.

Why This Matters

Revisiting simulation theory through the CTMU offers a profound shift in perspective. By understanding reality as a self-simulating system, we can move beyond the idea of external creators and focus on the intrinsic intelligence of the universe. This perspective aligns with the CTMU’s broader goal of unifying science and spirituality, showing that reality is not just computational but inherently meaningful.

Christopher Langan summarizes this elegantly:

The universe is not merely a simulation; it is a self-sustaining reality, where simulation and existence are one and the same.

By redefining simulation, the CTMU invites us to see ourselves not as passive inhabitants of a programmed world but as active participants in a reality that continually creates and recreates itself.