can anyone prove we are real matters in a real set of space and time?
or are we just hallucinating or dreaming, or imagaining, or some aliens or gods playing games? or whatever?
2007-01-31 15:32:22 · 19 answers · asked by Jimmy Zhan 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
You can't technically prove it. Your mind could be making this all up on its own right now. For example: crazy people don't know their crazy they think they know what's real. The voices in their minds and the things they see are real to them. Do I really exist or do I only exist because your mind thinks I do? Are all your feelings and sights and experiences and even your identity all just a figment of your imagination? All of these people you created in your mind are reassuring you that you are real aren't they? Are you really going to ask the hallucinations of your own mind if this is all reality? Of course I'll tell you its real!
2007-01-31 15:43:06 · answer #1 · answered by justin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There has existed a myriad of views on this issue over the years, and I in no way claim to be right in my assesment, but...
First, we need to make a distinction between people in general and ourselves in particular:
I cannot know for sure that other people exist. It is just impossible -- just because we think we see and feel other people, doesn't mean they are real. To anybody who has an objection against such a view, I say: prove to me that I am not sleeping (or think of the movie "The Matrix").
As for myself, the situation is somewhat different. I can, in fact, not know for certain that I have a "real" body, that it looks the way I'm used to seeing it and so on, this for the same reasons as the above.
I can, however, in my own opinion, know one thing for certain: I, my mind, my soul, if you like, exist. The reasoning behind this statement is as follows: I might question the existence of others, I might doubt reality itself, but then who is doing this questioning and doubting if not me? I have to exist, since I can question, since I can think. This is the famous notion "I think, therefore I am" (more famous in its Latin form: "Cogito, ergo sum"), first formulated by the French philosopher Rene Descartes in the XVII century.
Finally, I have to say that this semi-sceptical (sceptisism= a philisophical teaching that denies the possibility of certain knowledge) view is by no means shared by everyone: a whole bunch of philosophers from Plato to Hegel did not agree with it, so this is by no means a universal truth.
2007-02-01 12:23:20 · answer #2 · answered by denand2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no way to prove that we are real beyond the fact that 'I think therefore I think I am'. All of our observations are entirly relative to ourselves. We may observe something and try to explain that occurance in such a way as othes may understand, but at the end of the day we have no proof beyond the ilusion of the reality of the existance of those other or even ourselves. What we are and who we are...? Maybe that is the meaing of life, to find out what we are? Hope this helps.
2007-02-01 00:27:13 · answer #3 · answered by Arthur N 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know I am real. I give and receive love, I anticipate new experiences, I share my life with others, even through pain, as well as joy and comfort. If I told you to get off your drugs, that could be construed as a violation or insult, but you really need to come back to basics. Just pinch yourself, you will feel reality. Good Luck.
2007-01-31 23:38:59 · answer #4 · answered by intrepid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Death is the ultimate reality for all of us. Life is a dream, and death is the warm embrace that awaits you... the light at the end of the tunnel. So, I think I'll ask you a better question then 'Am I real?', and that is: does it really matter?
2007-01-31 23:51:50 · answer #5 · answered by Radgar E 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting concept you have there, if you were non existant or in a dream state, than your birth that your mother experienced called labor did not happen, you writing this question and some imaginary non real human is answering it. Why eat if you are not real, Come on, we may not always enjoy being human but that is what we are Real human beings.
2007-01-31 23:40:45 · answer #6 · answered by Lesha a Canadian. 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some of us are real but this childish question begs the question: who is and who aint?
Even if you were hallucinating, it would be the "you" who is real that is hallucinating.
2007-01-31 23:46:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always think about this question. And by way nice question. I always think that were only dreaming and once we die we will wake up in another place and continue dreaming there.
2007-02-01 00:59:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter if we are real. As long as we believe we are. If my reality says you are my alien god, then that's reality for me. Nothing can change it. Ok maybe a pill could.
2007-01-31 23:40:03 · answer #9 · answered by CANCEL 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The philosopher, Descarte, said, "I think. Therefore, I am." Meaning that if you have self awareness then you exist outside of someone's mind.
2007-01-31 23:38:39 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋