How do we know that we do exist?what if we wake up and find out our "life" has been a long dream?how do you know i really exist?aren't people,things just fiction and we just "imagine" them?how are you sure?ir's really intressting...thank you
2006-09-26 06:01:05 · 13 answers · asked by The dude 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The Matrix, The Truman Show, The 13th Floor, and Total Recall.
We don't know that this life is real. We can only help but assume it is real.
If this life is imaginary or like the Matrix, then we are indeed trapped inside and completely helpless. Doesn't really matter does it? It's not like we can DO anything about it.
There are many things in this world which we should be questioning, but don't. With things like microchips being implanted into our bodies for ID, and the conditioning that is being programmed into our children's heads... This world is quickly becoming a sort of Matrix.
People are so closed minded when it comes to exposing them to alternate possibilites, too many of them are too like Cypher. Oh well.
2006-09-26 14:00:25 · answer #1 · answered by raven7night 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good questions - you may have a strong future as a philosopher.
Existence has puzzled humankind for thousands of years. Plato's Parable/Mystery of the Cave seeks to answer the issue of things reality. Descartes' Cogito Ergo Sum - I think therefore I am, has been the standard for the last 200 plus years and the basis of our scientific/technological world.
Exist vs. dream can be solved by biting yourself. You feel pain - even if you could summon up such a dream act, there would be no pain then or blood on your pillow of the morn.
There is a great deal of fiction in the way we see/imagine other people. This is what keeps psychologists so busy and communication so difficult. Perhaps it is why Jesus suggested we love others as we love ourselves. Interesting possibility which have helped me just recognize. Thank you for the inspiration!
I try to carry around at least one imaginary person at all times. It helps pass boring times and perhaps even encourages me to be more than I am.
Well, I'm off to visit T.D. James in ICU after he won the Super Bowl and rec'd MVP and is uncovering a vicious bookmaking cartel. Imagination is great.
Have a good one.
2006-09-26 13:15:44 · answer #2 · answered by Joe Cool 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the old way would be to pinch yourself, if it hurt you were not dreaming and you did indeed exist. we are our own proof. Ayn Rand's famous expression 'existence exists' means that we know that we exist therefore we 'do' exist. A is A. That which is, is; that which is not is not. I think that last came from a movie. In the long run there are many questions for which in my opinion there will be no answers. at least in this lifetime on this earth. In a afterlife in a spiritual worls maybe we will learn more. Tuck your questions away and focus on this life on this earth. There should be enough challanges to busy yourself.
2006-09-26 13:18:50 · answer #3 · answered by ironjunkman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, a Cartesian Inquiry. It's ironic that you ask this on a website where you trust that 'real' people answer your questions. How do you even know we exist? You are able to ask the question and even though you don't KNOW that anything exist accept your consious self, you live your life according to the sense data you experience and that's that. Whether it's real or not isn't a question of whether you experience it or not, so just keep livin' your life.
2006-09-26 13:18:09 · answer #4 · answered by Existence 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, in this life there are definitely consequences such as pleasure, pain or other outcomes for each of our decisions, and those outcomes are largely predictable. Therefore, in that the world plays by rules, whereas dreams don't, the world forces us to respect it as real--that is to say, as significant, not disregardable.
2006-09-26 13:14:36 · answer #5 · answered by The Armchair Explorer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This problematic life of our world is real, this is the product of our mind, this is the product of our interactions. We are really existing in this chaotic mentality. If we the majority dissolve our selfishness this chaotic world will never be the same again.
2006-09-27 00:30:56 · answer #6 · answered by ol's one 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"I think, therefore I am."
Does it matter? As long as we're here, this is reality. If we wake up into another reality that will be then. Personally, I think we exist forever and we are here to learn certain things (like school) before we can move on.
2006-09-26 13:05:27 · answer #7 · answered by Aunt Biwi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont believe that we share a world wide fantasy... a fantasy world between a few people. Fine but the whole world. No. I am not sure but I am what I believe so this world is a reality.
2006-09-26 13:09:16 · answer #8 · answered by tay_jen1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is fantasy they why would bad things happen? Why would you fantasize about all the crap that is going on with the world today?
2006-09-26 13:09:09 · answer #9 · answered by #2 in the oven 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a simple test to find out and it all that matters. Pinch yourself and you feel pain. Prick yourself and you bleed. If you fell pain that is your reality.
2006-09-26 13:14:01 · answer #10 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋