News Flash: Direct Observation of Objective Reality is Impossible for a Human

[Sunstone]

It is perhaps ironic that, if we humans were able to directly observe objective reality, all of science would come crashing down. That is because we would necessarily be omniscient, and of what use would science be to an omniscient human?

By the way, the above is not the reason direct observation of objective reality is impossible for a human. It's just one of the things direct observation would logically imply.

 

[Left Coast]

It is perhaps ironic that, if we humans were able to directly observe objective reality, all of science would come crashing down. That is because we would necessarily be omniscient, and of what use would science be to an omniscient human?

I'm not following you here. Can you explain further? Why would being able to observe direct reality make us omniscient?

 

[sun rise]

I don't get it either.

 

[Willamena]

Me either.

 

[Sunstone]

I'm not following you here. Can you explain further? Why would being able to observe direct reality make us omniscient?

Excellent question! Thanks for asking.

It's not that complex, Nick. Actually just a simple chain of deductive logic.

Please first consider the implications of omniscience. To be omniscient is to be all knowing, correct?

Does it not logically follow that if one knows everything, then what one knows cannot be confined to a point of view because, by definition, a point of view is a limited, restricted, or incomplete take on things, no?

Yet, a limited, restricted, or incomplete take on things cannot be an all knowing take on things. That is, it cannot be an omniscient take.
​

Does that make sense, so far? If so, we'll proceed to the next regularly scheduled feature of our program.


By the way, Nick, I apologize for any lack of clarity in my writing. I've been struggling with insomnia, and shifting in and out of an unfocused daze. Hard to think under those conditions. Hopefully, I will be able to bore myself to sleep by the sheer dullness of my writing.

 

[alypius]

direct observation of objective reality is impossible for a human

What reasons are there to accept this proposition?

 

[Left Coast]

Excellent question! Thanks for asking.

It's not that complex, Nick. Actually just a simple chain of deductive logic.

Please first consider the implications of omniscience. To be omniscient is to be all knowing, correct?

Does it not logically follow that if one knows everything, then what one knows cannot be confined to a point of view because, by definition, a point of view is a limited, restricted, or incomplete take on things, no?

Yet, a limited, restricted, or incomplete take on things cannot be an all knowing take on things. That is, it cannot be an omniscient take.
​

Does that make sense, so far? If so, we'll proceed to the next regularly scheduled feature of our program.


By the way, Nick, I apologize for any lack of clarity in my writing. I've been struggling with insomnia, and shifting in and out of an unfocused daze. Hard to think under those conditions. Hopefully, I will be able to bore myself to sleep by the sheer dullness of my writing.

Yes, following you so far. Phew!

What's next, Teach?

PS - don't apologize. Insomnia sucks.

 

[Sunstone]

Yes, following you so far. Phew!

What's next, Teach?

PS - don't apologize. Insomnia sucks.

I think I might be able to get to sleep now. We'll see. I'll pick up when I get back.

 

[Sunstone]

Yes, following you so far. Phew!

What's next, Teach?

PS - don't apologize. Insomnia sucks.

Still couldn't sleep. But I think I had best wait until I've had some to proceed here.