If you were given the choice to sign up for that kind of existence, would you?

如果你有機會選擇這樣的生活，你會接上機器嗎？

That's the question philosopher Robert Nozick posed through a thought experiment he called the Experience Machine.

這是哲學家羅伯特‧諾齊克透過一個他稱為 「體驗機器」的思想實驗所提出的問題。

The experiment asks us to consider a world in which scientists have developed a machine that would simulate real life, while guaranteeing experiences of only pleasure and never pain.

這個實驗要我們想像科學家已經創造出模擬真實生活的機器， 並保證機器只會提供快樂、沒有痛苦的體驗。

The catch? You have to permanently leave reality behind, but you'll hardly know the difference.

有什麼意圖？你必須永遠地脫離現實，但是你幾乎感覺不到機器中和現實有何差別 。

Your experiences will be indistinguishable from reality.

你的感受將會跟現實世界相差無幾。

Life's natural ups and downs will just be replaced with an endless series of ups.

原本生命中自然的高低起伏將變為沒有低潮，一直處在高潮。

Sounds great, right?

聽起來很棒，對吧？

It may seem like a tempting offer, but perhaps it's not as ideal as it sounds.

這可能聽起來是個誘人的提議 ，但或許它並不是那麼的完美。

The experiment was actually designed to refute a philosophical notion called hedonism.

這個實驗的設計是用來反駁一個稱為「享樂主義」的哲學概念。

According to hedonists, maximizing net pleasure is the most important thing in life because pleasure is the greatest good that life has to offer.

依照享樂主義的說法
，最大化「淨快樂值」 是人生中最重要的事，因為快樂是生命所賦予最美好的事物。

For hedonists, the best choice that a person could make for himself is one that brings him the greatest possible amount of pleasure while bringing him no pain.

對享樂主義而言，一個人能做出的最佳選擇，則是可以帶給他自己最大快樂且不會帶來苦痛的選擇。

Limitless pleasure minus zero pain equals maximum net pleasure, or in other words, the exact scenario the Experience Machine offers.

無限的快樂減去零痛苦等於最大的淨快樂值。換言之，就是那部機器所提供的情境。

Therefore, if hedonism is your philosophy of choice, plugging in would be a no-brainer.

因此，如果你尊崇享樂主義，連接到那台機器將是個想都不用想的不二選擇。

But what if there's more to life than just pleasure?

但是如果人生的意義不僅僅是享樂呢？

That's what Nozick believed he was demonstrating through his Experience Machine thought experiment.

諾奇克相信他成功地經由「體驗機器」 的思想實驗表達了這個觀點。

Despite the machine's promise of maximum net pleasure, he still found reason not to plug in, as do many other experimenters who consider the proposition.

儘管機器承諾了最大的淨快樂值，他仍能找到不要連接機器的理由，而很多參與這個思想實驗的其他實驗者也提出了同樣看法。

But what could possibly dissuade us from choosing a future of ultimate pleasure?

然而究竟是什麼會勸阻我們追尋有著無限快樂的未來？

Consider this scenario: Betsy and Xander are in a loving, committed relationship.

想像一下以下情景。
貝琦跟山德是對熱戀中的情侶。

Betsy is head over heels and has never felt happier.

貝琦在愛情中如癡如醉，這輩子從來沒有如此開心過。

However, unbeknownst to Betsy, Xander has been romancing her sister, Angelica, with love letters and secret rendezvous for the duration of their relationship.

然而在貝琦不知道的情況下，山德其實也正在跟他妹妹安潔莉卡祕密往來，在他們的交往期間，兩人在她背後互通款曲與幽會。

If Betsy found out, it would destroy her relationships with both Xander and Angelica, and the experience would be so traumatic she would never love again.

如果貝琦發現了，真相
將會摧毀她與山德及安潔莉卡之間的關係，而這段經驗將會帶來太大的創傷，讓她再也無法重拾愛情。

Since Betsy is in blissful ignorance about Xander's infidelity, hedonists would say she's better off remaining in the dark and maintaining her high level of net pleasure.

因為貝琪正處於幸福中並對山德的不忠一無所知，享樂主義者會認為她最好繼續被蒙在鼓裡，這樣便能維持在極高的淨快樂值狀態。

As long as Betsy never finds out about the relationship, her life is guaranteed to go on as happily as it is right now.

只要貝琦永遠不知道他們兩人的關係，她的一生都會持續跟現在一樣快樂
。

So, is there value in Besty knowing the truth of her situation?

那麽，讓貝琦知道真相有意義嗎？

Imagine if you were Betsy: Would you prefer to know the truth?

如果你是貝琦，你會想要知道真相嗎？


If the answer is "Yes", you'd be choosing an option that sharply decreases your net pleasure.

如果答案為是，
你正做了會陡降你淨快樂值的選擇
。

Perhaps, then, you believe that there are things in life with greater intrinsic value than pleasure.

或許，這便代表你相信生命除了享樂之外尚有更美好的內在價值。

Truth, knowledge, authentic connection with other human beings.

真相、知識、和與他人真實可靠的連結。

These are all things that might make the list.

這些都是構成生命意義的要素。

By never learning the truth, Betsy is essentially living life in her own personal Experience Machine, a world of happiness that's not based in reality.

如果永遠不知道事情的真相，貝琦就會像活在自己的體驗機器裡
，一個虛幻快樂但並非真實的世界一樣。

This love triangle is an extreme example, but it mirrors many of the decisions we make in day-to-day life.

這個三角戀是一個極端的例子，但它也反映了我們每天做出的很多決定。

So whether you're making a choice for Betsy or for yourself, why might you feel reality should be a factor?

所以不論是為貝琪或為你自己做決定時，為什麼你會覺得現實應該是一項考慮要素？

Is there inherent value in real experiences, whether pleasurable or painful?

無論是快樂或是痛苦，現實體驗真的有內在價值嗎？


Do you yourself have more value when you're experiencing real life's pleasures and pains?

當你經歷了真實的快樂與痛苦後，你自己會獲得更多價值嗎？

Nozick's experiment may not provide all the answers, but it forces us to consider whether real life⏤though imperfect⏤holds some intrinsic value beyond the pleasure of plugging in.

諾齊克的實驗可能無法為上述問題提供所有解答，
但它能驅使我們思考儘管現實並不完美，卻可能隱含了比虛幻享樂更多的內在價值。