THE PHILOSOPHICAL REALM

Zettl makes a comparison of virtual reality to Plato's realm of shadows. He poses the question whether VR exposure is healthy. While Plato poses whether exposure to the outside world is healthy. As in every practical sitation, there are pros and cons. VR can allow for students to be instructed in ways they never have been before. Soldiers can gain combat experience without sustaining any injuries and pilots can practice flying technichques. However, Zettl raises the point that some VR displays can allow for the user to engage in inhumane and violent behaviors. The situation is very similar to parenting. The parent can attempt to shape the experiences of the child. Some parents may shape those experiences for the improvement of the child, and some parents shape those experiences unknowngly for the degeneration of the child. In either case it is how the child percieves those experiences that will ultimately guide the childs life. Exposure to VR can create a vast expendature of trained professionals, while it can also create a vast expandature of violent criminals. It is the intent of the user that ulitmately comes into focus.