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) |
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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): |
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Group: | Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize, Gordon McClure Memorial Communications Prize - Philosophy, Hixon Writing Center |
Thesis Committee: |
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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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