Is existence relative........?

Question

It seems to be a conditioned thing to see objects as existing as independent(seperate) of themselves. For example, I experience hot as hot but is hot independently hot or can hot only exist as such in relation to a coexistent cold? Does anything exist independent of itself or is hot/cold, up/down(or any experience we have) dependent on some other aspect of existence that's not that? or is this just more unnecessary and useless labels and filters?

personally I think it's all just useless labeling. Sensations are what they are: different. Hot doesn't need cold to exist for me to feel it and feel that it is different from cold. Same with feelings: a different energy with different sensations that occur in the body...isn't fear or anger but a different energy, and what would both be if felt without the label and judgement of them? but that's another question! thanks everyone for the varied responses and insights!

Answer 1

Another good question, linty. Pondering leads us to take note of the duality inherent in everything we experience. With the duality comes relativity because it brings a spectrum into play. As paradoxical as it sounds, I think a purpose of duality is to lead us to the realization of unity.

Answer 2

Names of things are just that. We do realize that there is a sensation that is different than previously experience. So, even if there was no cold, we would still know that hot awas a different sensation than what we experienced before touching it. Just like pleasure and pain. Our minds are able to distinguish between sensations without the presence or existence of its opposite counterpart.

So, is existence relative. I don't think so.

I used to have an acquaintance who was a die hard relativist. He even went so far as to question his own existence. Sounded like matrix stuff.

Answer 3

Everything physical is relavtive including staying still, as well as hot/cold, large/small, up/down. Physics actually recognises this, for example Einstein's theory of relativity and how change in height is important for potential energy.

Being alive is also relative on where someone is observing you. If they are sufficiently large distance away you are not alive relative to them.

Answer 4

You experience existence through you eyes. Every one else experiences it through there eyes. We all have a different existence,we all have different feelings, and we all live in the world but yet in are own world in a way although we can not help but to live in are own world. PEACE!@

Answer 5

They are only relative if you have experienced them before. You cannot know what is hot or cold if you have not experienced hot and cold before.

Answer 6

can't have anything with out the opposite. but, we still feel it. the labels are what we live by every day, i suppose it just makes us understand that up is this way, and down is that way

Answer 7

everything is relative. no up=no down. no cold=no hot. no light=no dark. no fast=no slow. no noise= no quiet. see a pattern here? that's just a theory though, relativity an all.

Answer 8

hmm..good question! realativity does play an important part in deciding wats hot or cold for us..but if water boils at 100 c den it does..weder d sorroundings r cold or not!! i hope u get wat i mean...but even einstien culdnt explain it better dan.." if u sit n put ur hand on fire for 5 minutes it seems like an hour..but u sit wid a beautiful girl for 1 hour..it seems like 5 mins..dats relativity"!!

Answer 9

those are just labels we assign to define and control our world. A thing is what it is, its physical properties exist without us to see or measure it.

Answer 10

Yes, I think everything is related. Can't have up without down. Can't have you without your doppleganger. It takes two to tango.