Philosophy Stack Exchange
Philosophy Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [reality]

In Philosophy reality is usually defined by metaphysics, but in physics (or in the example, quantum mechanics) reality is based upon observation, as explained by Schrödinger's scenario explaining the implications of the Copenhagen interpretation as it applies to "everyday objects" .

214 questions
5
votes
2 answers

Why must physics (empirical measurement) be consistent?

In this TEDx talk, Physicist and Nobel Laureate George Smoot claims (around 19:00) that inconsistency in measurements of the universe imply either that our universe is not real, that is, that we live in a simulated reality, or that or ability to…
Andrew
  • 221
  • 1
  • 3
4
votes
6 answers

Is a pattern a real "thing?"

Humans are known for outstanding "pattern recognition." However, other organisms discern patterns we don't (e.g., snakes discern infrared and ground vibration patterns). There are more unobserved data patterns than observed ones. So, is it that…
Rubellite Fae
  • 276
  • 2
  • 10
3
votes
2 answers

Is reality founded on nonsense?

While thinking about how the universe works and questioning it I have come to the conclusion that it might not actually sense and cannot ever make sense. It all starts with the question "Why?", you can tell me how but then there is also a why for…
Terran
  • 163
  • 3
2
votes
4 answers

Can reality exist without anything/anyone?

Reality is here defined as "truth." An example is, if someone killed someone else, then the truth is that person 2 is dead. Here, no one need to know that that person is dead in order for them to be dead. For example, if someone dies on the other…
Socrates hehe
  • 37
  • 1
1
vote
1 answer

Value of life as we disappear

If our lives don't last, then how can our lives have lasting value? This question addresses the issue of how anybody could have a deeply meaningful life if we all disappear and become like nothing.
Stevie C.
  • 211
  • 1
  • 6
1
vote
3 answers

What is the best theory about how a person models reality?

When someone throws a ball it is possible to predict where the ball will be based on the person's stance, motion during the throw, speed of ball, trajectory, etc. If you see a window in front of the trajectory you can sense a risk of danger. When…
vergilvsyn
  • 49
  • 1
  • 2
1
vote
1 answer

Classifications for philosophy that are "detached from reality"?

Have any philosophers given classifications for philosophy that could be "detached from reality" at least in current times? For example, some platonist ideas are "pretty far out there".
mavavilj
  • 3,036
  • 21
  • 37
1
vote
1 answer

"matra" vs "maya", à la Bohm

There is a passage that I could not possibly regard as anything other than intriguing in David Bohm's "Wholeness and the Implicate Order", and I would like to share it with the esteemed readers of this forum. The passage occurs in the chapter…
user1539
  • 281
  • 1
  • 8
0
votes
0 answers

Why do different realists offer different explanations of reality

"we have to be realistic", is often heard. Easily said. That normally means, realistic wrt to the view on the reality of the one who utters the expression. Different people have different views on reality. How come? Why different realists have…
user52804
0
votes
4 answers

Making a computer simulation therefore being in a computer simulation?

Suppose we were to make a perfect computer simulation of our own world (granted, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle prevents this so consider it to be mostly, and not exactly, like our world). The inhabitants are so like us that they do the exact…
yolo
  • 135
  • 4
0
votes
2 answers

Do eyes really see?

There seems to be much confusion around this topic. Our eyes detect light, but do they see? Detecting light is part of the visual process. The end result is that objects become visible. This occurs in the brains visual centres. No perception occurs…
Zane Scheepers
  • 589
  • 4
  • 17
0
votes
2 answers

Something, nothing, and death

Consider for a moment the classic question "Why is there something rather than nothing?" My favorite answer is a terribly funny statement by a stand up comedian in Hebrew: "eem ein ein, az yesh yesh!" which is an impossible to translate word play of…
nir
  • 4,786
  • 16
  • 27
0
votes
3 answers

So what is real? what do you think?

If you can't be 100 percent sure about your senses, how can you be sure that anything is real?
MathematicalPhysicist
  • 473
  • 2
  • 10
-1
votes
2 answers

Is reality a matter of consensus or consistency?

Thought experiment: Someone is isolated in a cell (small world) and she is familiar with scientific method. She suffers from a mental condition involving hallucinations. The problem is her hallucinations are consistent. No matter what experiment she…
Xaqron
  • 315
  • 1
  • 2
  • 13
-1
votes
4 answers

The number Pi as a simulated reality counterargument?

There is a similar discussion on Reddit . The idea is to use the number Pi as a trigger to prove ourselves that we do not live in some kind of computer simulation. The logic is simple: as we know from mathematics, the number Pi is practically…
programings
  • 107
  • 1
  • 2