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Is anything real? What is reality?
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Is anything real? What is reality?Posted:
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My Story
For quite some time now, ever since i was around 10 or so, i have pondered on the thought "Am i experiencing reality?" or "How do i know everything is real". This thought, concept, or ideology, if you will, has sparked an interest or belief to further uncover some type of basis or solid evidence to explain if any thing is real or in fact what is reality. I was utterly scared to think of this idea and have a further progress on this notion so i decided to no longer think about it. (Im now 14) So recently i have been very intrigued in the content that a YouTuber by the name of "Vsauce" has been producing. Then i stumbled upon the video "Is anything real" ,as you might predict, this resumed my thought process of the 'Eternal Question', "Am i experiencing reality?" or "How do i know everything is real". As much as i try to process and dissect the information of this concept or rather this video i find myself always stumped or stuck. Although, as time came along i began to more thoroughly understand this question and video but this idea of questioning reality can be a horrifying thing to others and would just like to have some input from all of you.
Our senses have very fine limits and accurate measures to depict information from the real world to our mind which has a contrary concept of our imagination (meaning our mind) from reality. "These are our only tools to get whats out their (the real world) into whats in here (our mind)" now with that in mind, we become so dependent on those senses alone that they are prone to failure and may deceive us of whats real such as any type of illusion or "magic".
So do we or will we ever know what true reality is? Or are we stuck in a world were all we can be is approximately true? Can science ever prove (with solid evidence) that anything outside of our mind is true? Or do we just live in a Matrix?
All of these long thought out and unexplained questions, of "How do we know if anything is real", lead to a simplified answer OF:
So to put it in simplified terms, everything that you know about the "real" world is dependent and is made up in your brain through info of your senses. Aka our Phaneron (Look below for definition)
"Its a frightening realization that we dont always know how to deal with."
Now realism is a totally different concept that means the world is independent and that it does not depend on our existence. So rocks, cats, bread, and cars would exist without our witness.
"All you can do is believe."
Definitions
Check out Vsauce's Video on this subject: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
**Please remember that i only intend to widen your horizon on this matter and never to scare you but rather open you perspective to new ideas**
Interesting Comments on the subject
Quotes
For quite some time now, ever since i was around 10 or so, i have pondered on the thought "Am i experiencing reality?" or "How do i know everything is real". This thought, concept, or ideology, if you will, has sparked an interest or belief to further uncover some type of basis or solid evidence to explain if any thing is real or in fact what is reality. I was utterly scared to think of this idea and have a further progress on this notion so i decided to no longer think about it. (Im now 14) So recently i have been very intrigued in the content that a YouTuber by the name of "Vsauce" has been producing. Then i stumbled upon the video "Is anything real" ,as you might predict, this resumed my thought process of the 'Eternal Question', "Am i experiencing reality?" or "How do i know everything is real". As much as i try to process and dissect the information of this concept or rather this video i find myself always stumped or stuck. Although, as time came along i began to more thoroughly understand this question and video but this idea of questioning reality can be a horrifying thing to others and would just like to have some input from all of you.
Our senses have very fine limits and accurate measures to depict information from the real world to our mind which has a contrary concept of our imagination (meaning our mind) from reality. "These are our only tools to get whats out their (the real world) into whats in here (our mind)" now with that in mind, we become so dependent on those senses alone that they are prone to failure and may deceive us of whats real such as any type of illusion or "magic".
So do we or will we ever know what true reality is? Or are we stuck in a world were all we can be is approximately true? Can science ever prove (with solid evidence) that anything outside of our mind is true? Or do we just live in a Matrix?
All of these long thought out and unexplained questions, of "How do we know if anything is real", lead to a simplified answer OF:
No. We dont know.
Although we can try to use tools and other instruments to "try" and help explain this phenomenon, all of the information leads back to using our mind to distinguish what is real, in which can truly never do. This is called the egocentric predicament.
Although we can try to use tools and other instruments to "try" and help explain this phenomenon, all of the information leads back to using our mind to distinguish what is real, in which can truly never do. This is called the egocentric predicament.
So to put it in simplified terms, everything that you know about the "real" world is dependent and is made up in your brain through info of your senses. Aka our Phaneron (Look below for definition)
"Its a frightening realization that we dont always know how to deal with."
Now realism is a totally different concept that means the world is independent and that it does not depend on our existence. So rocks, cats, bread, and cars would exist without our witness.
"All you can do is believe."
Definitions
Existential = of or relating to existence. (more info: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] )
Realism = the attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly. (the quality or fact of representing a person, thing, or situation accurately or in a way that is true to life.)
Epistemology = the theory of knowledge, esp. with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion. (more info: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] )
Matrix (not mathematics) = an environment or material in which something develops; a surrounding medium or structure.
Egocentric Predicament = is the problem of not being able to view reality outside of our own perceptions. All worldly knowledge takes the form of mental representations that our mind examines in different ways. (more info: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] )
Phaneron = The phaneron as coined by Charles Sanders Peirce is essentially the real world filtered by our sensory input. (more info: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] )
Solipsism = the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist. (more info: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] )
Realism = the attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly. (the quality or fact of representing a person, thing, or situation accurately or in a way that is true to life.)
Epistemology = the theory of knowledge, esp. with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion. (more info: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] )
Matrix (not mathematics) = an environment or material in which something develops; a surrounding medium or structure.
Egocentric Predicament = is the problem of not being able to view reality outside of our own perceptions. All worldly knowledge takes the form of mental representations that our mind examines in different ways. (more info: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] )
Phaneron = The phaneron as coined by Charles Sanders Peirce is essentially the real world filtered by our sensory input. (more info: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] )
Solipsism = the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist. (more info: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] )
Check out Vsauce's Video on this subject: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
**Please remember that i only intend to widen your horizon on this matter and never to scare you but rather open you perspective to new ideas**
Interesting Comments on the subject
- - Sven Shestakov -
solipsism must mean that the reality is the imagination of each individual's own brain. that means that each reality must be different.
But the fact that there are many so called "solipsist" around the world, all having one universal belief - that their minds are the "Only" thing that exists - proves that reality is not dependent on our own minds.
- PowerPerPound -
Ha, if only it was that easy to dismiss. Solipsism states that reality and what we/I perceive is not necessarily true. The reason I put we/I is because in one of it's form, I can't not be sure that you or anyone else even exist. For all I know you are a preconfigured entity inside my mind with not real thoughts of your own. Having a few other preconfigured entities that would be program to agree with me in this fact, or as you call them other solipsist, would not change that into a reality. For all I know I am living in a matrix by myself. Or maybe I'm in a coma and this is all a big dream. Or maybe all of us are just the imaginative creations of melancholic Japanese girl in high school. The theories are all asinine to say the least but the problem is that you really can't disprove them.
- Sven Shestakov -
that's true.. but try this - if reality is really just a creation/imagination of our own minds, then why wouldn't we imagine a perfect world, with none of the social issues we have, no diseases, no pain, etc. why are we imagining ourselves (or should i say, i am imagining myself) all those bad things?
also, if the reality around us was created by our own minds, then why do we need to learn anything? if we created our own universe, we should already know everything about it, right? it's like an architect, working for months on a construction plan and when the house is finally built, he doesn't know where toilet is, yet he should be knowing every inch of the building.
- TheGreatCreator101 -
Don't you think it would be boring if we already knew everything? Perhaps we reduce ourselves to this level because we didn't want to play God, or already did and wanted to know what the other end felt like.
Quotes
- I took a test in Existentialism. I left all the answers blank and got 100.
Woody Allen
The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.
Socrates, Essential Thinkers - Socrates (Barnes & Noble Collector's Library)
"I think, therefore I am."
-Rene Descartes
The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty: not knowing what comes next.
Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness
My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool; it gives me all the world and exiles me from it.
Ursula K. Le Guin
The following 1 user thanked DrSmitty for this useful post:
BigWes (01-20-2014)
#2. Posted:
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I'm surprised that you didn't mention Rene Descartes infamous quote on the subject of existence, even if you did mention Solipsism, which applies to it in a way.
[I didn't see the quotes you added at the end.]
The question of reality is something which I don't think will ever be fully answered.
Whether we simply can't understand it neurologically, or if we simply don't have the right words in our lexicon's to describe it.
Personally, I think the world does exist in the mind.
The problem with scientific realism is that, there is a fundamental role of the the subject, and the object in this model of existence.
The question that has to be asked is; where is this model?
It is generated by the mind, and upheld by the mind, so is also 'in the mind' or is 'a product of the mind.'
So, the logic rebuttal is, 'If I stop observing, do things still exist?'
I think that is a false representation of the idealist position though.
It is the imagined non-existence of the world.
You're seeing the world coming into and going out of existence in your mind's eye, but this too is an activity of the perceiving mind.
In fact we are never outside that activity of 'world-creating.'
You can never stop perceiving the world in some way.
This is what our mind is doing from one instant to the next.
However, that doesn't answer the question of whether the physical world is real or not.
Based on modern semantics, nothing can be said to 'not exist.'
Unless consciousness is considered, as it is nothing as anything observed, yet it's presence is undeniable.
So it fits in two categories.
The 'does not exist' category as it cannot be observed, so it's not a physical thing.
And the 'exists' category as the existence of consciousness is here right now.
Like I said, limitations of our lexicon's.
[I didn't see the quotes you added at the end.]
The question of reality is something which I don't think will ever be fully answered.
Whether we simply can't understand it neurologically, or if we simply don't have the right words in our lexicon's to describe it.
Personally, I think the world does exist in the mind.
The problem with scientific realism is that, there is a fundamental role of the the subject, and the object in this model of existence.
The question that has to be asked is; where is this model?
It is generated by the mind, and upheld by the mind, so is also 'in the mind' or is 'a product of the mind.'
So, the logic rebuttal is, 'If I stop observing, do things still exist?'
I think that is a false representation of the idealist position though.
It is the imagined non-existence of the world.
You're seeing the world coming into and going out of existence in your mind's eye, but this too is an activity of the perceiving mind.
In fact we are never outside that activity of 'world-creating.'
You can never stop perceiving the world in some way.
This is what our mind is doing from one instant to the next.
However, that doesn't answer the question of whether the physical world is real or not.
Based on modern semantics, nothing can be said to 'not exist.'
Unless consciousness is considered, as it is nothing as anything observed, yet it's presence is undeniable.
So it fits in two categories.
The 'does not exist' category as it cannot be observed, so it's not a physical thing.
And the 'exists' category as the existence of consciousness is here right now.
Like I said, limitations of our lexicon's.
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#3. Posted:
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Trotsky wrote I'm surprised that you didn't mention Rene Descartes infamous quote on the subject of existence, even if you did mention Solipsism, which applies to it in a way.
[I didn't see the quotes you added at the end.]
The question of reality is something which I don't think will ever be fully answered.
Whether we simply can't understand it neurologically, or if we simply don't have the right words in our lexicon's to describe it.
Personally, I think the world does exist in the mind.
The problem with scientific realism is that, there is a fundamental role of the the subject, and the object in this model of existence.
The question that has to be asked is; where is this model?
It is generated by the mind, and upheld by the mind, so is also 'in the mind' or is 'a product of the mind.'
So, the logic rebuttal is, 'If I stop observing, do things still exist?'
I think that is a false representation of the idealist position though.
It is the imagined non-existence of the world.
You're seeing the world coming into and going out of existence in your mind's eye, but this too is an activity of the perceiving mind.
In fact we are never outside that activity of 'world-creating.'
You can never stop perceiving the world in some way.
This is what our mind is doing from one instant to the next.
However, that doesn't answer the question of whether the physical world is real or not.
Based on modern semantics, nothing can be said to 'not exist.'
Unless consciousness is considered, as it is nothing as anything observed, yet it's presence is undeniable.
So it fits in two categories.
The 'does not exist' category as it cannot be observed, so it's not a physical thing.
And the 'exists' category as the existence of consciousness is here right now.
Like I said, limitations of our lexicon's.
Very insightful response though i question how are we able to understand or detect if the presence of the entity/thing is real or "undeniable" as you said?
This topic truly has limitless questions with non existent answers and is the very fact is to why it interests me.
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Most of us individuals that think outside the box go through these thoughts. My thinking process is so different that if anyone were to take a trip into my mind they would be shocked at what they see. I sometimes have amazingly big mood swings. My view on life is severely different from everyone else that sometimes when I talk to people about it sometimes they start to cry (usuallly family members.) But if everything is not real and in my mind well then __________. But if it not then I am very similar to you. I am 12 and I go through these thought at least once a day. at the age of 6 I started thinking like this.
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Din wrote Most of us individuals that think outside the box go through these thoughts. My thinking process is so different that if anyone were to take a trip into my mind they would be shocked at what they see. I sometimes have amazingly big mood swings. My view on life is severely different from everyone else that sometimes when I talk to people about it sometimes they start to cry (usuallly family members.) But if everything is not real and in my mind well then __________. But if it not then I am very similar to you. I am 12 and I go through these thought at least once a day. at the age of 6 I started thinking like this.
All individuals have a unique thought process that is specific to themselves along with their own values and personality. The real question that is posed is "Why and how is this formed or developed?" Which also leads to the debate of Nature vs. Nurture and how those experiences in or mind are created. more info= [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
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I would really like to see any input on this post and maybe if it changed your perspective?
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