3 ms·

Greg Egan has written a (slightly ham-fisted, but still interesting) short story about that question: http://ttapress.com/553/crystal-nights-by-greg-egan/ http:

Greg Egan has written a (slightly ham-fisted, but still interesting) short story about that question: http://ttapress.com/553/crystal-nights-by-greg-egan/ http://ttapress.com/553/crystal-nights-by-greg-egan/ The author has commented that he regrets having overlooked the moral implications of simulated life in his previous works (see e.g. http://gregegan.customer.netspace.net.au/PERMUTATION/FAQ/FAQ.html http://gregegan.customer.netspace.net.au/PERMUTATION/FAQ/FAQ..., which contains spoilers for Permutation City) so I wouldn't be surprised if that was the inspiration for this story.

pmoriarty 10y ago
Also highly recommended along these lines is Stanislaw Lem's Cyberiad (published in 1965): https://www.amazon.com/Cyberiad-Stanislaw-Lem/dp/0156027593 https://www.amazon.com/Cyberiad-Stanislaw-Lem/dp/0156027593 It touches thoughtfully and humorously on: AI, simulations, robotics, ethical and moral questions regarding artificial life, among many other interesting topics. It's one of the funniest and greatest science fiction books I've ever read.