so there are some objective realities?? there are real things that exist despite the absence of my perception of them??? my college professors tried to tell me different.
Damn AB, you're way ahead of me...I'm still trying to figure out what the hell the "scroll lock" key does...
and i of you. though you only exist when i'm typing these words, and when i stop you will cease to exist...starting....NOW!
The problem with most existential/philisophical questions is establishing the semantics. What do you mean by "exist"? If it means only things within your individual perception then you have to make your judgements of existence by your interpretaion of the evidence, like calling your friend to ask if the house is still there. Do you believe telephones provide you with actual connections to real people. The problem with this version of reality is that one's interpretation of evidence might differ from a majority of of people you might encounter. To David Berkowitz the evil dog in head telling him to kill existed. But if he discussed his evidence with other people they probably wouldn't agree. On the flip side, it is still up to the individual to decide his own version of reality. If I discuss the evidence of the existence of a Supreme Being with the people I encounter, a majority will probably tell me the She exits, however in my own version of reality She doesn't. But in a short answer to your question try this: Go outside tonight and look up at the stars. The light you see in the sky is evidence that they existed long before you or any other human being . Therefore human perception is not required for existence. ( you don't really need me the explain the physics do you?)
I re-emerge as I type mine. GENE PETERSON The brightest light I see at night (as pointed out by my neighbor) is actually a satellite. You don't need to explain the physics, but next time you feel persnickety, narrow your scope.
by the way, AB...I really need to get out to see your show sometime...I saw your schedule and will see if I can work in a babysitter so my wife and I can go. of course, once i leave the comedy club, you will cease to exist. you're so lucky i'm planning on being there! otherwise, there won't even be a real performance that night!
This seems like a conversation that can get absolutely nowhere on the BBS. The answer to this question stems directly from the answer of a much more basic and fundamental question: how does one know anything? AB, you seem to be relying solely on the senses as a source of knowledge and, with such exclusivity (or, I'd say, without using any of the other tools given you), you probably cannot know for sure if anything exists beyond your perception. But, you neglect reason (deductive and inductive), authority, probability, revelation, and a host of other sources of knowledge. What about the related question: do you know a thing continues to exist when you can see it?
Nice, and thanks for you critical analysis Folgers. However, lite banter is what I shoot for, grasp that (and I say that without using any of the tools given you)and edit... ...I'll wait
Oh, I see. So, if I'm NOT watching a Rockets game at any point in time, then Moochie Norris really doesn't exist? Sounds good to me.
Ok, now let me try: What really matters to human beings (our life) is that the world exists in 2 realms - the virtual world (spiritial/perception/cognition/imagery) & the physical world (things you can see & touch). As a humanbeing we need both in order to survive. The body cannot live without the mind & the mind cannot live without the body. So there you go, your perception (virtual) determines how you perceive about the physical & vice versa. As a result, the experience as a human being is a constant interaction/adaptation of the 2 worlds. These experiences feed on one another. I see there are no clear boundaries between the realm of virtual & physical... they are on the opposite sides of a continuum & all our life experiences are lie somewhere along this continuum. Sometimes the virtual aspect is more dominant than the physical & vise versa... which explains all the diverse experiences we had in life! Try & enjoy it while you can!
So, this is the thread that talks about if a tree falls in the woods but no one is around to see it or hear it, then how do you know that it fell type thingie, right?
It (the event) dosn't effects/matters to you if you are not in anyway associate with it (both spiritually & physically). It's like, yes, there are other living creatures somewhere in the galaxy... but does it effect/matters to you during your life time? probably not.
