Metacomputics Labs, London, UK
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Introduction: Modelling reality is what we do as scientists. To facilitate our comprehension of the world, we build models based on conceptual metaphors that are familiar to us. In Newton’s era, we imagined the universe as a clock. In Einstein’s, we established the standard model of particle physics. Now that we are in the information age, we have new concepts available to us, such as the computer, information processing, simulation, and virtual reality. Unsurprisingly, these new concepts inspire us to build new models of the universe. One such model is the hypothesis that the perceived reality is rendered by the Platonic computer located in the realm of Forms.
According to Plato, physical existence is a shadow, or poor imitation, of the ideal realm of existence. Archetypes and symbols exist in the realm of Forms, which operates as the fundamental reality. Material objects in the physical reality resemble their perfect archetypes to varying degrees. For every material entity we perceive, there is a corresponding archetype in the realm of Forms.
Based on such principle, we postulate that the everyday material computer made of silicon is only a poor imitation/simulation of the perfect abstract metaphysical computer that exists in the realm of Forms. We call this abstract metaphysical computer the “Platonic computer”. We hypothesize that it is the Platonic computation that is the real cause of all phenomena, including psi. The hypothesis postulates that the psychic agent’s mental interaction with the Platonic computer causes PK phenomena by manipulating the data/parameter in the program of the Platonic computer.
Methods: In modern science, simulation is used to imitate or represent real-world processes, systems, or phenomena using a mathematical model or computer program. Computer simulation is now accepted as a type of experiment in mainstream science, although it differs from traditional physical experiments in some ways. While traditional experiments involve manipulating real-world objects and observing their reactions in a controlled environment, computer simulations involve creating a virtual environment and observing the digital entities within that environment.
In the parapsychological study of PK, we are not able to reproduce the results on demand. It is also challenging or even impossible to impose an appropriate level of control on the mental states of PK agents. We, therefore, propose to use computer simulation as a supplementary experimental tool to study PK. According to the Platonic computation model, the physical computer is a poor imitation/simulation of the Platonic computer. The former renders the virtual reality, and the latter renders the physical reality. Thus, at one level, virtual reality can be manipulated by manipulating the physical computer. At another level, physical reality can be manipulated by manipulating the Platonic computer.
Results: Computer simulations have been performed to illustrate that manipulating data/parameters in the program of the physical computer causes a range of virtual psi phenomena, including: appearance and disappearance of virtual objects, apparent spontaneous movement of virtual objects, and changes in the solidity of the virtual objects.
Discussion: Although we rely on models to describe perceived reality, we must also remember that models are not reality. There is no point in arguing if the universe is a clock, a set of particles, or an output of computation. All these models are tools to be deployed to deal with the unknown and to make discoveries. The Platonic computation model offers a new perspective from which we will have a new understanding of the universe. We can explain many phenomena we could not explain before, including psi. According to the Platonic computation model, ESP can be understood as the result of psychic agents accessing the database of the Platonic computer. On the other hand, PK can be interpreted as the result of the psychic agent’s manipulation of the data/parameter of the program in the Platonic computer.
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Simon X. Duan is a researcher at Metacomputics Labs in London, focusing on computational models of consciousness, psychokinesis, and the philosophical foundations of parapsychology through Platonic computation theory.
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The Parapsychological Association is an international professional organization of scientists and scholars engaged in the study of psi (or ‘psychic’) experiences, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, psychic healing, and precognition. The primary objective of the PA is to achieve a scientific understanding of these experiences.
Follow the PA: https://linktr.ee/parapsychologicalassociation
Donate to support the mission of the PA: https://donorbox.org/support-the-parapsychological-association
Published on April 9, 2026
