What would you consider to be a more humbling concept for humans?

Question

What could be a more humbling notion; existence as part of a divine heirarchy or the interdependency of one's existence relying on the existence of others?

Could the concept of deification or self-deification exist outside of any theistic belief or is it a concept that could only be percieved if the other is accepted as well?

Do you believe that it would be possible for all you've ever been taught, learned, and percieved became an illusion?

There's a Chinese proverb stating "Writing cannot express all words, words cannot encompass all ideas." Albert Einstein and other renowned physicists have expressed parallel ideas when dealing with the fabric of reality.

What are the limitations of language, if you believe there are any, regarding truth and reality?

Could words and reality merge?

Answer 1

I count about seven questions there. Stingy with your points, eh?

I think the second is probably more humbling, since god is sort of a constant, with intrinsic worth, so our worth in relation to god is also constant, while the worth of these 'others' in a godless world is relative.

I don't think so, since "deification" would result in a form of theism...

I think the very concept of 'illusion' is relative anyway - if I became aware of its illusory nature, it would still impact my future interactions with the 'real' world, plus something generated that 'illusion'.

Of course words can't express all ideas. That's why languages continue to grow and evolve - although they still cannot embody reality. Words divide reality to define it, they necessarily leave things out. However, words are influenced by and, in turn, influence reality. The continuum & the dynamic equilibrium between words and reality is ITSELF a reality words cannot encompass; only indicate - point toward.
The problems of language are the problems of religions based on texts as well.

Answer 2

This covers a lot of ground. I don't concern myself with humbleness; like Iblis, I don't bow down. The notion that perception is an illusion is sterile -- it leads to no interesting, let alone useful, conclusions. Languages such as English may not be able conveniently to express all of reality, but mathematics can do so. As for a merger of words and reality, it is unclear what this would mean.

Answer 3

I think the best definition of reality is the sum total of all possible human experience. This may or may not be the entire set of experience possible by any conscious entity. However, that which can never effec our experience cannot be real. In this sense, its irrelevant if life is a dream, the effect is exactly the same. The effect is all that matters, and the entire point of looking for truth...is to be able to use it in some way. Useless truth is simply a foolish and bad attempt to stroke your ego.

Answer 4

I find existence as part of a divine heirarchy to be demeaning. It reduces the beauty and complexity of nature and the universe to a cheap parlor trick. I would rather be dependent on my surrounding reality than on some invisible magician in the sky.

Answer 5

it could be like the matrix,one big illusion,but very real to the senses.it would be even stranger if we saw each other as the molecule clusters that we appear to be under a microscope