Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard W. Symonds on January 16, 2011 at 3:07pm

So Heather, for you is "reality" ONLY that which can be "observed" by the senses (ie if you can't touch it, see it, smell it, hear it or taste it, it's not reality) ? 

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on January 16, 2011 at 3:14pm

Actually, in my opinion, reality exists independent of the senses.  We can begin to verify some aspects of reality in those things that we can mutually observe, but it certainly doesn't end there, I suspect; at least we cannot prove that it ends there.  On the other hand, that which can only perceived by one is really only part of the subjective reality of that person's stream of consciousness, not objective reality.

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Permalink Reply by Richard W. Symonds on January 16, 2011 at 3:29pm

Ummmmm..... "reality exists independent of

the senses".

 

Now THAT is an interesting idea Heather -

could you elaborate ?

 

That seems to me a form of philosophical

"Realism" (eg Moral Realism) ?

Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on January 16, 2011 at 3:36pm

I'm just saying that the universe exists whether or not we observe it.  All in all, our existence is insignificant - there is a lot more going on in the universe than we will ever have a chance to know about.

Permalink Reply by Richard W. Symonds on January 16, 2011 at 3:43pm

"I'm just saying that the universe exists 

whether or not we observe it"

That's already saying quite a lot Heather.

Permalink Reply by Richard W. Symonds on January 16, 2011 at 4:30pm

So doone, is the "WE" (eg the you who has just used his mind to write this) also a reality like that one 'out there' in the universe ?

Permalink Reply by Richard W. Symonds on September 25, 2011 at 3:53am

"Common-sense suggests at least "two orders of reality" (CEM Joad), so for Richard Dawkins to posit only one 'Science-based' reality, to explain what is real, suggests not least a lack of balance on his part" - Richard W. Symonds
(On seeing "What's real?" by Richard Dawkins - Front Page, Eureka Magazine, The Times, September 2011)

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Permalink Reply by Richard W. Symonds on January 14, 2011 at 12:16pm

Bill, as I see it, you are asking me to buy the idea that, when I dream, I am experiencing an illusion (a dream) while at the same time living a created illusion of the objective world in my own mind,

 

Sorry, don't buy it.  

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Permalink Reply by Bill on January 14, 2011 at 12:20pm

you have a better explanation?

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Permalink Reply by Richard W. Symonds on January 14, 2011 at 12:23pm

Yes Bill - reality is both subjective (our inner universe)(inner space) and objective (the outer universe)(outer space)

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Permalink Reply by Bill on January 14, 2011 at 12:44pm

There is an important point being missed here. When you are dreaming, you are experiencing the thing much as you do in waking life. Only your sensory input is detached by the process of sleeping and dreaming and what you perceive as external stimulus is actually being created in your own brain, in much the same way as a schizophrenic hears voices. Dreaming appears to be an evolutionary adaptation to allow one to play out troubling scenarios in a safe environment.

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Permalink Reply by Richard W. Symonds on January 14, 2011 at 5:11pm

Maybe, maybe not Bill -it can't be proven either way - it's just a conjecture (theory/hypothesis) on your part.

 

My theory of dreams is that it is the mind's equivalent of bladder & bowel waste product - or the computer equivalent of 'clearing out the system of unwanted clutter' which slows everything up.

 

God knows. 

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