Is 'who' you are relevant to 'what' you arbitrarily experience?
2006-07-05 01:49:12 · 6 answers · asked by aw3s0m3g1rl 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
In some sense, these terms refer to the same thing--they both refer to truth. However, they are used in very different ways, and sometimes something might be "real" without being "authentic."
We don't ask, for example, about the meaning of authenticity--although we may ask about the meaning of reality. When we ask whether something is authentic, we are asking whether it is genuine or an imposter--but when we ask if something is real, the alternative would be that it is imagined. So authenticity and reality are related terms in that they each deal with truth. However, they deal with truth in different ways.
Now to your "follow up" question about whether "who" affects "what." The answer is "yes"--undoubtedly. The experiences that we have (including knowledge gained) will shape our perceptions. It is true that we can influence our perceptions--we have "filters" through which we see the world. That is a part of who we are, and it definitely affects the "what" of our everyday experiences.
So let's put these together. Is there some way in which we can be more authentic, and in doing so have a more accurate perception of reality? That's a tough one. I'm really not sure that we can. We might can learn to be more open-minded, not rushing to judgment as quickly as we might tend to do. It might be that we recognize the filters that are in place, and we can consciously strive to set those aside and get a more complete experience of the reality in which we live.
But if being an "authentic" person means being true to ourselves, then doesn't that imply that we should be true to the filtered self that our experience has led us to become? Perhaps the reality is that truly authentic people perceive reality differently--and that is as it should be.
But I sense that I am digressing at this point ...
2006-07-05 06:14:04 · answer #1 · answered by tdw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reality is our arbitrary definition of existence.
Authenticity is our judgement within said reality of being as described.
FOR EXAMPLE:
We can have an authentically scary dream, yet it does not exist in reality. A figure may be authentic within that dream (for example, dreaming of your father) however he may not be real in that context.
Authenticity can exist outside reality - and reality can exist without authenticity. Therefore, they're not synonymous, but definitely related.
2006-07-05 10:41:49 · answer #2 · answered by Dan w 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly a large part of "who" you are is relevant to life experience and I think this relevance increases with age, life experience, and choices.
There is most definitely a seperate "you" created in spite of or isolated from life experience. This is easily proved by looking at two people with almost identical life experience yet opposite outlooks, opinions, personalities, etc.
2006-07-05 09:13:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Authenticity and reality, when referring to individuals are synonymous. Everyone's perception of the world is colored by their existence, which means what we "perceive" to be reality must be authentic to us.
2006-07-05 09:09:08 · answer #4 · answered by Rachel B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Authenticity is truth, reality is what you believe is truth. Reality is truth filtered through your life experiences.
2006-07-05 08:58:00 · answer #5 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A human being is not just a biological creature but also a set of assumptions and beliefs..and those assum. n beliefs comes from our experiences whether those exp. are arbritrary in nature or deliberately planned.So who we are is what our experiences and consequences of our decisions has made us.
Kfactor.Stay in touch.We have a lot to share.
2006-07-05 09:05:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋