February 19, 2014

My Belief in Realism

See gossamerlens.com to stay up-to-date with the blog.

____________________________________________

    Recently I watched a video that presented the Realism Theory.  You can watch this video by clicking here.


    In case you are like I usually am (and didn't watch the video) let me explain briefly what the video was about.  Pretty much it simply presents the fact that we don't know for sure that anything is real.  We can feel what's around us, and we can hear things...  but no one can know that it is in fact real, and not made up by our own mind.  The idea that what we can touch, see, hear, taste, and smell are in fact a part of reality is called the Realism Theory.  The idea that we can, in fact, see reality and are currently experiencing it is only, in all reality, a theory.

    In the video it presents a case where a woman got out of serving time in jail because she was convinced that she was living in the matrix and that her actions didn't matter or hurt anyone.  Obviously she was labeled as crazy.  But the strange thought is that maybe she isn't crazy and those, including myself, who believe in reality as we see and feel it are truly the 'crazy' ones.  In that case most of humanity would be crazy. 

    This leads me to discuss the question my mind presented to myself:  "Why should I continue to believe in Realism if I don't know its true?"  This question is one that is very simple for me to answer.  I answer it like I answer myself when I am logically picking apart religion. 

    My answer is:  "Why not?"

    Now this may seem to not be a very satisfactory answer, however for me it is sufficient.  I come to it by putting aside the fact that I may be a disembodied spirit in a trancelike state somewhere in a real person's pocket, and by realizing that even though I don't know what exactly is going on outside of my own head...  what I choose to believe may actually be the truth. 

    Thus, what I choose to believe is chosen because I want to be happy and as good of a person as I can.  I choose to believe in the Realism Theory because if it is in fact real then I can live through my life being a good person and not hurting people.  What I do will actually matter and effect others.  If I chose not to believe in the Realism Theory then what would keep me from hurting others?  If none of what I experience is real, then why should I treat others kindly? 

    Because I do choose to believe in the idea that what I sense is in fact real, and I wish to be the best person I can be...  I do in fact care about how I act, and how my actions affect others.

4 comments:

  1. Umm But we can't do anything about it. We have to and need to believe in something or there's nothing left to continue our jounney.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Which is why I choose to believe in Realism. It's a choice I have made, because I think it helps me be a better person. ^_^

      Delete
  2. Ah, I've always loved this philosophical topic. Descartes talked about the state of "being" extensively. Cogito ergo sum, or, I think, therefore I am. The very fact that we are able to have thoughts proves that we exist, or so Descartes theorized. He said that we cannot doubt our existence while we have doubts, and I think it's a truly fascinating argument, and one that I've thought about a lot over the years.
    I take comfort in the fact that I have chosen to be the best person I can be whether or not I, or anyone else, exist. It doesn't matter, because the EXPERIENCE of living is very real, regardless of the realm in which which we experience it.
    One of the most important principles I took from reading through his meditations was when he said "Archimedes used to demand just one firm and immovable point in order to shift the entire earth; so I too can hope for great things if I manage to find just one thing, however slight, that is certain and unshakable". This is in reference to the very core concept and knowledge that Descartes, while doubting absolutely everything around him, KNEW that at least HE existed. This resonates with me even still, because while I may doubt things and I might find err in things that I once held dear, I can at least hold on to the fact that I exist, and because I am experiencing this existence (regardless of its intended/perceived purpose), I will do my absolute best to reach my full potential and enjoy as much as I possibly can while I am in the experience. And that keeps me happy. :)

    I'm diggin' these posts, Nomi Dakoti!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are such a lovely person! I love reading your comments and thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing them!

      I'm diggin' your comments my doppelgänger of an aunty!

      Delete