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The Good Life+: Well-Being in Virtual Worlds

Citation

Speer, Edward (2025) The Good Life+: Well-Being in Virtual Worlds. Other, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/d62w-gn55. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechThesis:06302025-172754389

Abstract

Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies are rapidly becoming more sophisticated, increasingly offering users the experience of simulated presence. As these technologies advance, they raise important questions about the nature of well-being in virtual worlds. Classical accounts emphasize the importance of authenticity for well-being, and deny that virtual worlds can provide authentic experiences. This paper combines insights from the philosophy and psychology of well-being to argue that virtual worlds can provide authentic experiences, and analyzes the quality of experiences in virtual worlds over several dimensions relevant to well-being to show that one can live The Good Life+: The Good Life in a virtual world.

Item Type:Thesis (Other)
Subject Keywords:Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize; Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize in Philosophy; Hixon Writing Center
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Humanities and Social Sciences
Major Option:Philosophy
Awards:Caltech Y Patrick Hummel and Harry Gray Travel Fund, 2025. Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize, 2024. Caltech Y Patrick Hummel and Harry Gray Travel Fund, 2022.
Thesis Availability:Restricted to Caltech community only
Research Advisor(s):
  • Quartz, Steven R.
Group:Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize, Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize - Philosophy, Hixon Writing Center
Thesis Committee:
  • None, None
Defense Date:2025
Record Number:CaltechThesis:06302025-172754389
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechThesis:06302025-172754389
DOI:10.7907/d62w-gn55
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:17506
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Joanna Poon
Deposited On:02 Jul 2025 17:06
Last Modified:02 Jul 2025 17:10

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