Or rather, can it?
2006-12-24 13:19:03 · 15 answers · asked by Diesel Weasel 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Nope. You have to exist in reality to imagine. So...Imagination is dependent on reality, which is a far feach from transcending it.
2006-12-24 13:30:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Depending on your definition of reality, it is possible. If by reality, you mean only those things which exist outside of the mind, then yes imagination can transcend reality. I can imagine a dragon, but dragons only exist in the imagination. However, if you define reality as everything that exists inside and outside of the mind, then no, imagination cannot transcend reality.
You're steering into deep ontological and epistemological waters with these questions. Makes me miss my philosophy college classes. Check out the debate between Anselm and Guanillo, for one of the most famous philosophical arguments revolving around a question like this - the ontological proof of God's existence.
2006-12-24 21:23:34 · answer #2 · answered by Underground Man 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well...imagination is more important than knowledge, right? ;)
Yeah, I think it can...for some reason every time I try to talk about philosophy I end up throwing God in. Anyway, my example is this: People, in general(I think), will learn much more about good vs. evil by reading a fictional book or watching a movie, TV show, etc than they will by just reading the Bible and going to church. For me, it's like...there's this subconscious need for God that people express through their imagination and creativity, whether they realize or not. I hear this in music all the time. My hubby and I were JUST talking about this a couple of nights ago. He doesn't agree with me, either. Strange. (I am, of course, stating that God is reality, but then again, you already knew that one.) ;)
2006-12-25 05:38:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try this experiment to answer your question: Sit real still, close your eyes and imagine you are on a nice warm beach, the wind blowing softly, listening to the rythym of the waves. Then have a friend slam a hammer on your foot real hard when you don't expect it. Reality wins hands down every time.
2006-12-24 21:30:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Imagination is instantiated in reality. Try to imagine unreality. Even mythical creatures and concepts have at least one foot in reality, as they do real things. For instance; dragons fly.
2006-12-24 22:30:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I believe it can. No, I don't believe it does often.
Except in the case of small children and mentally ill adults
On the other hand, if it were not for imagination exceeding reality, many things and ideas would not exist.
2006-12-24 23:33:39 · answer #6 · answered by persnickety1022 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
imagination is an accumulation of realities
2006-12-24 21:29:50 · answer #7 · answered by MeThink2 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We control our physical body and our spirit controls us and the spirit is in the Lord Jesus hands. Our thoughts becomes deeds, and our deeds becomes action. What's in your mind is in your heart. Keep a pure heart and pure deeds will come out. Be holy as your Heavenly Father is Holy. God Bless You!
2006-12-24 21:39:06 · answer #8 · answered by Mari 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Necessity is the mother of invention...imagination the mother of all...
2006-12-24 21:40:48 · answer #9 · answered by deevoonay 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How do you think Walt Disney made so much money?
2006-12-24 21:27:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋