Do you know something that's real, but doesn't exist?

Answer 1

nothing

Answer 2

If it is real, by definition it exists. The number zero does exist. Nothingness exists, in the context of the earlier example, as a concept. Thus, the symbol zero is thing that exists to represent a concept, called nothingness, that exists.

Obviously, we could then argue that we could then introduce a "concept" called zigmorfan, which refers to the theoretical existence of the creature Huyk, who walks at the theoretical intersection of the solar rays and moon beams. Could we describe this as a concept? If we define a concept as something useful, then this would not qualify as a concept, yet, if talking about this fictitious character to a child to keep them amused, then we would have a concept, if we accept the definition of a concept as something useful. If someone helps you to do your work, are they then a concept?

If we steer clear of identifying entities, real or imagined, as concepts, we could argue that something like a zigmorfan, which is fictitious, is real within a specific context, within a story, yet does not exist.

This then suggests that we have a set of separate realities: the "real" world we live in, and the smaller worlds we construct within that main world. Basically, the question then becomes how we can know if something is real. Remember the opening sentence said that if something is real, then it exists. Perhaps we need to move away from our physical senses to say that something is real if it exists even for a brief moment, irrespective of the form, physical or otherwise, that entity takes on. We could also argue that anything that is real will exist independently of context, (which is a term we would then need to define). In such an instance, a zigmorfan is real while a story about this entity is being told. That entity may eventually become stored in the memory of that child, to whom a zigmorfan will exist for many years as both a character and as a set of emotions. It seems thus that things that are not real can become real, even physically real. Thus, something that existed and was not real now exists and is real.

In summary, if something is real, it exists. If we invent something, it exists, even if only briefly. It can be real depending if it becomes independent of any context (whatever this term may mean).

My thoughts on this are far from well formed or complete, but I cannot fix those thoughts right now, as my real eyes are really seeing things all blurry right now. I need to move away from this real computer for a while so that the blurred images that exist but are not real (maybe they are) in the physical world, which we should perhaps move away from(?), can go away :-).

Answer 3

Maybe ideas, beliefs, perceptions....it's like you're walking at night and you see a snake on ur path so you jump! But then someone shines a light there and it's just a piece of rope lying there....the snake was real--at least the person reacted as if it was real, heart pounding, fear, etc.---but it didn't exist.

My answer really isn't really answering ur question tho, :D

This is off the topic a little, but this is an interesting quote from ACIM:

"Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists"

Answer 4

Fictional characters, like Hamlet and Harry Potter, are real but don't exist (in our physical world).

If you don't mean cases like that, then the question doesn't make any sense: by definition, something that's real exists. (Actually, anything that is a something also exists.)

Answer 5

Yes! Love, pain, hate, they are real. Oh! You can see their influence and the way of how they make concrete themselves. But have you ever seen the love, the pain, the hate? Then, if you can't see them, they don't exist as material things. There is only their 'realization'.

Answer 6

Everything real exists.

Answer 7

Hmmm...There are many people who feel that way about themselves. And what do you mean by exist? Do you mean that you can't touch it or feel it, see it or smell it? Or do you mean exist as in it is nothing? Feelings are real but don't really exist on the concrete. Hmmm, to ponder these thoughts...

Answer 8

Life.

This is more easily understandable if one considers the actual scale of the components of an atom. If one takes into account the fact that the neutrons, protons and electrons of an atom actually have huge spaces between them it becomes clear that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are made up of 99+ percent empty space.

This alone does not seem too important till you add the idea that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are more of a loose conglomeration that share a similar attraction but never really touch each other.

At first glance this does not really seem relevant, but closer analysis reveals that this adds a tremendous amount of empty space to solid objects that are already made up of atoms that are 99 percent space. When so-called solid objects are seen in this light it becomes apparent that they can in no way be the seemingly solid objects they appear to be.

We ourselves are not exceptions to this phenomenon.

These seemingly solid objects are more like ghostly images that we interpret as solid objects based on our perceptual conclusions.

From this we must conclude that Perception is some sort of a trick that helps us to take these ghostly images and turn them into a world we can associate and interact with. This clever device seems to be a creation of our intellect that enables us to interact with each other in what appears to be a three dimensional reality.

I hope that helps to answered your question.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 9

Yes, the place where the deductions from my paycheck go that is supposed to be for social security. They really take the money and are putting it someplace that won't exist when I retire.

Answer 10

Perfection.

Answer 11

Only God is real and doesn't exist at the same time.

We, on the other hand, exist but are not real!0!

Sapere aude!