that what we mean by "real" and "reality" only has meaning in relation to everyday human experience. I think that's a metaphysical position, so I wasn't looking to see if it was right, but if it is useful. — T Clark
I don’t disagree with your definition but is it not somewhat limited? What does it give you – the realness of quotidian objects like apples, chairs and presumably bananas? — Tom Storm
The big fights about what is real seem to happen in a different space – Platonism, UFO’s, the voices inside the heads of people with psychosis, demons, gods, etc.
I’m looking at a glass of water in front of me which is presumably real. Last night I dreamed of a glass of water. I picked it up, I drank from it and I put it down. It seemed real too. Until I woke up. — Tom Storm
Applying that test, I can reject the idea that quantum mechanics undermines the idea of reality not just for subatomic particles, but also for apples and orangutans. And that is what set me off down this path. — T Clark
As to your thread question,for me our reality is a form of the actual reality indeed.But there must be numerous of other forms also.Depending from the observer.
So we are sure that there is "Something" that we see as real.But it is real only to us.Notice that doesn't make it less real.Still is!But it is just one way of how that "Something" can be presented to the observer.
What we humans call real is ,imo, just a version of what actual "real" can be. — dimosthenis9
there is a reality which is mostly stable and enduring for everyone under everyday human conditions. — T Clark
True.But you have to acknowledge also that this is totally filtered by our human physiology,our senses and brain.
It would be too egoistic for humans to think that their physiology is the only "right" or possible one ,that can or has been created in this vast and timeless universe. — dimosthenis9
Yes. T Clark asked "What does 'real' mean?", and when faced with an answer, backtracked to saying, "No, I asked what does 'physically real' mean".
So now we have the pretence that what is real is only the stuff of physics. Scientism reinforcing itself with poor analysis. — Banno
I have said several times in this thread that "real" and "reality" are metaphysical entities and are not subject to empirical verification. — T Clark
But the concepts of "real" and "reality" were created by humans for use by humans to describe a world of human experiences. They only have meaning in relation to us. — T Clark
And what we cannot know at all cannot form part of our understanding. The only response one might make to it is silence.
Anything you say about what cannot be said will by that very status be wrong. — Banno
science... Explore(s) what we can actually know — dimosthenis9
What is important here is to realise that saying things like " Reality only makes sense in comparison to what humans see, hear, feel, taste, and smell" and "Reality is ineluctable", and "Reality and what we perceive as real is totally attached to the way our physiology is" we are not doing science. — Banno
Can you explain me what your disagreement is the above statements. — dimosthenis9
Reality is not defined by what we perceive. We perceive stuff that is not real, and there is stuff that is real yet unperceived. — Banno
How else is defined if not by what we perceive? — dimosthenis9
o we cabt define perfectly what reality means so let's shut up and not talk about it at all. — dimosthenis9
In order to know that you had found the right definition of reality, you would already have to know what reality is. — Banno
Reality is not defined by what we perceive. We perceive stuff that is not real, and there is stuff that is real yet unperceived. — Banno
That's exactly what science does though. Explore what we can actually know. — dimosthenis9
like; but be honest about it, realise that is what you are doing. — Banno
In science things are not 'true' as such they are 'not false'. Yet. — Tom Storm
I know that reality is the real and the real is realty and the..... forget it.. — Tom Storm
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