According to optics principle, the ‘image’ of objects in a mirror is a virtual one (illusion) formed by human eyes and cognitive interpretation of the brain. Just like René Descartes (1596-1650) once said “I think, therefore I am.”
How would you define an empty mirror? As far as I know, a mirror basically reflects light, and a part of this reflection is captured by a human eye gazing towards the mirror. The human eye interprets this reflection in a particular way, and as a result we conceive an image. This implies that a plant in front of a mirror would also capture reflected light, but rather use it for photosynthesis (as a plant typically does not have eyes)
In optics virtual image means just image formed by diverged outgoing rays. Nothing special about observer. Even such “brainless” apparatus as photo camera can “see” and make pictures of virtual images.
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