What Is Reality? (experience, verse)

[Lightkeeper]

There has been a discussion on another forum about reality. I think reality is different for every person, because of their unique experiences in life. Also, if there was no life in the Universe, would there be any reality. Isn't reality a human frame of reference?

[(Q)]

Experiences may differ but reality is the same for everyone. How each individual's mind decides to percieve reality may differ depending on the mental health of that individual or if there is some external stimulae that alters the ability to perceive, like drugs for example.

And of course, reality existed long before humans did and will continue to exist long after we are gone.

The lack of education and/or the ability to think critically can also change ones perception of reality as they begin to introduce concepts from their imaginations and conjure up fantasies of the supernatural to explain that which they don't understand.

Or, they may simple want to believe in something so bad, they ignore reality in favor of their ideals.

But, reality remains the same throughout and does not change to suit the needs of the individual. Therefore, reality is not a human frame of reference.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by (Q)

Experiences may differ but reality is the same for everyone. How each individual's mind decides to percieve reality may differ depending on the mental health of that individual or if there is some external stimulae that alters the ability to perceive, like drugs for example.

And of course, reality existed long before humans did and will continue to exist long after we are gone.

The lack of education and/or the ability to think critically can also change ones perception of reality as they begin to introduce concepts from their imaginations and conjure up fantasies of the supernatural to explain that which they don't understand.

Or, they may simple want to believe in something so bad, they ignore reality in favor of their ideals.

But, reality remains the same throughout and does not change to suit the needs of the individual. Therefore, reality is not a human frame of reference.

Can you tell us what reality is?

[(Q)]

Sure, it is the state of the world as it really is rather than as you might want it to be.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by (Q)

Sure, it is the state of the world as it really is rather than as you might want it to be.

What is it really?

[(Q)]

The definition above is self-explanatory and simple to understqand - what else are you looking for?

[Lightkeeper]

Here are some Einstein quotes on reality.

Reality is an illusion, albeit a persistent one.

As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.

[Mr Spinkles]

Lightkeeper--

It is possible, through observation, to discover with a high degree of certainty what is 'real' and what is not 'real'.

For example, I may notice that all humans have two eyes. I could ask a thousand people how many eyes a human has, and if they all agree humans have two eyes, then we can conclude with a high degree of certainty that humans usually have two eyes, and this is 'reality' for all humans (not just me). With proper observation, hypothesizing, and testing, (the scientific method! Go science!) we can build off of simple 'truths' (like the one in my example) to discover more complicated truths that also apply to everyone's reality.

[Master Vigil]

But what if a person was born with 1 eye. Does that make him less than a human? Or maybe hes just on the edge of reality and normalcy. What then characterizes reality and certainty. They are all guesses. Of course good guesses, but still guesses. There is not difference in the true reality, but how we come to know that reality differs.

[true blood]

Reality=Form + Matter (Aristotle) kinda philosophical definition.

Reality is what actually exists, as indicated by the signs of existence that appear in the human consciousness and designated by human terminology
If one has a tiny glimpse of reality, the way it really is, and attempts to put it into words; The result will seem bizarre to most people and very few will take it seriously.