Question. Does anyone ever think about this...
 

Sometimes, I start to wonder about really abstract idealogies. There is one inparticular that I contemplate most often: I wonder if everything around me does not exist at all, and it is just a figment of my imagination. I mean, everything is "real" (in the sense that it can be touched, heard, etc), but is everything actually there? Or is everything around me just something created by my imagination, and that others live in their own world which they have created?
(Sorry if this is kind of confusing, if anyone can tell me if there is a name about this type of thinking or more information on it, I would be very interested).

well that goes into weather or not you believe that things exist without someone believing in them in the first place.

there have been a lot of questions like this lately in the forums... the only thing i can tell you.. is that most likely you'll never know the truth about the whole thing.. so why worry?

even if this is all a figment of your imagination.. you may as well make the best of it and have a good time while it lasts.

Obviously it exists. If a hundred people from all over the globe stood in front of the same tree and looked at it, they would all agree on what they are seeing (through a translator of course).

This is called Solipsism.

Do a google, or post to the Philosophy board.



Mr Mephisto

Thanks for all the information. I am not really worrying about it, I just think that it is an interesting topic of discussion that alot of people can put their insight into.

Does it really matter whether they really exist or not?

Well there are lots of theories on this one. All the way from the Descartes evil demon's illusions, to the brain in a vat scenario. Lots of books cover this, just pick one up at the book store (and this is more like a philosophy question). Either way live you life as if it was real, because odds are you will never know.

Life is an illusion. Only death is real.

It's also called watching the Matrix too much.

just kidding. This was a good topic back when I took Philosophy in high school. Way before the Matrix.

I have never even watched the Matrix

Consider how real some dreams seem while you are dreaming them. Regardless of how fantastic or supernatural, you are immersed in it and totally believe that what you are dreaming is, in fact, reality. What you experience when you believe you are awake seems just as real, and the people who populate your "wakefulness" ( and that includes us, your TFP companions) agree with your assessment of this reality. Perception is everything.

My dreams seem real at the time,but I don't dream with the clarity that real life has.

My dreams are always hazey.

Erm...

Do I detect a touch of contracdiction here?

Mr Mephisto

But, each person would perceive it differently. I would see a large plant, someone else might see a living breathing creature, and yet someone else might see a lot of potential lumber. Each of us perceives the world in their own unique way. Best of all, it's up to you to choose how you wish to perceive it. Going to an extreme you can see reality as a living hell or as heaven on earth.

matrix.

well it could be seen that everyone lives in the world that is created by their mind from what they see, hear, taste, etc..

so although it is really the same world, your mind creates what it is, like how each person would create a different picture if given the same strict criterea to draw one.

just my thought, intereesting idea.

dood, i can't begin to fathom how old this question is.

i remember pondering this when I was only seven or eight. philosophy has always been with me......

now i no longer care much. i mean, i do still ponder these things, just not as often and not as seriously.

i say now.... if i'm not real may as well enjoy this fake moment. shrug