Virtuality+: The physical body in virtual reality and the path toward augmented virtuality

Abstract

While many scholars have decried the erasure of the body in virtual reality (VR), this paper focuses on the body – and the physical reality for which it stands – as a critical component of any experience of virtual reality. Specifically, studying VR from the perspective of the physical body allows for a more nuanced appreciation of the unique reality of this «virtual» reality. Moreover, this paper argues that the body should not be seen as a distraction from the immersive potential of VR, but rather as a potential tool for augmenting what virtual reality can currently offer.