Virtual Reality (VR) is often perceived as a modern technological marvel, a product of the digital age. However, its conceptual roots delve deep into humanity's enduring fascination with altering perception and creating simulated worlds. At its core, VR involves immersing a user in an artificial environment that can mimic or entirely diverge from the physical world, fundamentally challenging our notions of what constitutes reality and illusion.1 This pursuit is not merely a recent technological ambition; it represents a continuous, evolutionary journey reflecting a deeply ingrained human desire for new forms of experience and understanding.
The timeless human yearning for immersive experiences and simulated worlds stems from a profound curiosity and a creative impulse to explore beyond immediate physical limitations. From ancient philosophical debates about the nature of existence to early artistic spectacles designed to transport audiences, and extending to today's sophisticated digital environments, the drive for immersion remains a fundamental aspect of human endeavor.2 This inherent desire is also linked to a wish to understand and potentially control a chaotic world, or even to seek an escape from the constraints of everyday reality.4 The history of virtual reality, therefore, is not just a chronicle of technological breakthroughs, but an ongoing narrative of humanity's persistent quest to expand the boundaries of perception and experience.
The concept of "virtual" reality, long before its technological manifestation, was a subject of profound philosophical inquiry, particularly in ancient Greece. These early contemplations laid a conceptual groundwork for understanding different states of existence and perception.
Plato, one of the earliest Greek philosophers to theorize about reality, proposed his Theory of Ideas (or Theory of Form). In this theory, he posited a realm of perfect, abstract forms as the sole true reality, with the physical world being merely an imperfect representation.6 His famous Allegory of the Cave vividly illustrates this distinction: prisoners, confined since birth, perceive only shadows cast on a wall as reality, mistaking these illusions for true forms.6 This narrative serves as a foundational analogy for how sensory experiences can distort our understanding of the world, suggesting that true reality is recognized primarily through intellect rather than direct sensory input.6
The profound relevance of Plato's allegory resonates strikingly with modern virtual reality technology. VR immerses users in artificial environments that deliberately blur the lines between reality and illusion, creating experiences where the digital "shadows" can be profoundly convincing.1 Just as the escaped prisoner in Plato's allegory undergoes a transformative journey to a deeper understanding of reality, VR experiences can similarly offer users revelations about the nature of perception and the construction of reality.1 This enduring connection underscores that VR is not just a technological novelty but a contemporary reinterpretation of age-old philosophical inquiries into truth, perception, and enlightenment.1
虚拟现实（VR）常被视为现代技术奇迹，是数字时代的产物。然而，其概念根源深植于人类对改变感知和创造模拟世界的持久迷恋中。从本质上讲，VR将用户沉浸在一个可以模仿或完全脱离物理世界的人工环境中，从根本上挑战我们对现实与幻象构成的认知。这种追求不仅仅是近期的技术野心；它代表着一个持续的、进化的旅程，反映了人类对新形式体验和理解的根深蒂固的渴望。
人类对沉浸式体验和模拟世界的永恒渴望源于一种深刻的好奇心和超越即时物理限制探索的创造冲动。从关于存在本质的古代哲学辩论，到设计用来使观众身临其境的早期艺术奇观，再到当今复杂的数字环境，沉浸的驱动力始终是人类努力的基本方面。这种内在欲望还与理解并可能控制混乱世界的愿望相关，甚至是寻求从日常现实束缚中逃离。因此，虚拟现实的历史不仅是技术突破的编年史，更是人类持续扩展感知和体验边界的不断演进的叙事。
"虚拟"现实的概念在其技术实现之前很久，就是一个深刻的哲学探究主题，尤其在古希腊。这些早期思考为理解存在和感知的不同状态奠定了概念基础。
柏拉图，最早关于现实理论化的希腊哲学家之一，提出了他的理念论（或形式论）。在这一理论中，他假设了一个完美、抽象形式的领域作为唯一真实的现实，而物理世界仅是一个不完美的表现。他著名的洞穴寓言生动地说明了这种区别：囚犯自出生起被禁闭，只能将墙上投射的影子视为现实，错把这些幻象当作真实形式。这个叙事作为感官体验如何扭曲我们对世界理解的基础类比，暗示真实现实主要通过智力而非直接感官输入来识别。
柏拉图寓言的深刻相关性与现代虚拟现实技术惊人地产生共鸣。VR使用户沉浸在人工环境中，有意模糊现实与幻象之间的界限，创造出数字"影子"能够极具说服力的体验。正如柏拉图寓言中逃脱的囚徒经历了一段通向更深层次理解现实的转变之旅，VR体验同样可以为用户提供关于感知本质和现实构建的启示。这种持久的联系强调了VR不仅仅是一种技术新奇事物，而是对关于真理、感知和启蒙的古老哲学探究的当代重新诠释。
In contrast to Plato's dualistic view, Aristotle introduced a different perspective on reality and potentiality. He distinguished between "actuality" (things happening in real time) and "dýnamis," which he defined as potentiality or virtuality—things that can potentially happen.6 Aristotle considered space as substantial and dynamic, capable of assuming a variety of possible states that, while not actual, are considered virtual.6
For Aristotle, the real and the virtual were not separate realms but dynamic aspects of every entity, continuously transforming into each other. He cited theatre as an example of a virtual world, where experiences differed from real life and had no direct impact on it, yet possessed the potential to become real.6 This perspective highlights a dynamic and evolving relationship between the real and the virtual, where the virtual represents the inherent potential of an essence to manifest as reality. This understanding moved the concept of "virtual" from a mere illusion to a state of inherent possibility.