for example, does my chair exist? Does my cat? Does my Phone? Does fire exist?
2007-01-23 17:32:24 · 18 answers · asked by Luis G 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I mean it in a Philosophical sence. Can you prove that something exist? Like 'fire'?
2007-01-23 17:41:50 · update #1
your perception
2007-01-23 17:35:41 · answer #1 · answered by nodumgys 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Three things are required for something to exist materially. Intelligence (or energy), which produces force, which produces matter. Matter exists, but it is temporary. Some philosophers have argued that if something can come into existence, and go out of existence, then it really is not existing at any time. In a relative sense, that is true, because absolute existence, or "true" existence, can only be applied to something that is not temporary.
Of the three things required for material existence, energy is that which is not temporary. It can neither be created, nor destroyed. Therefore, the only thing actually existing is energy, and all that we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell is illusion.
2007-01-24 01:55:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are several answers that i can come up with:
-based on existentialist ideas, it only exists if its there, therefore thoughts, associations (like calling something a "tree" or "red"), and anything not actually tangible is not real. Its existence before essence.
-other ways: i think, therefore i am.
-Going on with that thought motif, does a thought exist? It has substance through the person who thought it up. It does not exist until someone thinks it up into existence.....you could go on further to say that nothing exists till someone acknowledges really.
There.
2007-01-24 01:44:08 · answer #3 · answered by tanyarachel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For someone to believe. If you believe its there than it is at least in your imagination.
Hope that makes sense.
There is no evidence of a god or a big bang or any evolutionary theories but the still exist because to some degree they have a following.
2007-01-24 01:47:16 · answer #4 · answered by angelicrulz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Attentiveness.
To pay attention to, tune in to, see or notice the chair, cat, phone fire etc.
2007-01-24 01:36:54 · answer #5 · answered by onelight 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they all exist, if you can see, hear, smell or touch some think it exists and for some people just believing is enough
2007-01-24 01:37:17 · answer #6 · answered by weasel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything exist until you can no longer prove it does not. If it occupies space then I guess it does exist. Doesn't it?
2007-01-24 01:50:13 · answer #7 · answered by courtqua 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ayn Rand and the Objectivist school of philosophy make proving this fact one of their "first principles."
Search on either her name or on Objectivist and you'll get enough ideas to fill your head for hours.
Whether you are convinced by their logic is another matter.....
2007-01-24 01:49:02 · answer #8 · answered by Barth E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All it takes for the object to be not 100 % transparent. If it is opaque and can reflect back light it exists, else it does not.
2007-01-24 01:38:54 · answer #9 · answered by Phil 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is a philosophical answer to that problem (a deeper and more comprehensive one is forthcoming).
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/catholiccommunity/message/88906
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2007-01-24 01:37:32 · answer #10 · answered by Catholic Philosopher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know it exists when somebody complains about it.
2007-01-24 01:34:38 · answer #11 · answered by Dorothy and Toto 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋