Does nonphysical reality exist?

Question

Really I'm asking if you cannot prove the existence of nonphysical reality, do you decide its nonsensical OR do you expand myself to the level at which the answer can be given?

Answer 1

We already know the nonphysical reality exists, the question is whether it can exist independently of the physical reality or not.

For example, consciousness is a nonphysical reality, indeed any experience of any kind is nonphysical. The question, however, is, again, whether these experiences, or even consciousness, could exist without physical reality (e.g., the body or the brain).

What is really meant by "physical reality" is objective reality. In actually there is no other distinction that could be made. No one has ever seen matter per se, or the physical per se. We just see forms and the interaction of forms, gross or subatomic, that we then label "matter" . . . and what gives them this title is the apparent fact that these forms can and do exist independent of the mind. So while I can see a rock in my dream, I do not consider such a rock "physical" because it was just in my own head. However, a rock in the world is considered physical precisely because it appears to exist regardless of whether or not we are personally aware of it.

So the "physical" reality is really the "objective" reality, which refers to a world which exists "outside" of our own minds. If there are such things as objectively existing subtle realms, or heaven or hell, or any other place that exists beyond this gross realm we know as the physical universe, then there is absolutely nothing that would preclude us from considering them as physical also, albeit we would need to greatly expand our scientific understanding in order to grasp what these worlds were "made of" or how they operated . . . again, all this assuming these realms were objective in nature.

What makes something "nonphysical", fundamentally, is whether it is nonobjective. The mental, for example, is nonphysical because while it may have physical correlates (e.g., the processes of the brain), it itself only exists experientially. Mental events can be described or understood to derive from physical events or processes, but the actual experience of them is, fundamentally, what we mean by mind, and that experience per se has no objective qualities whatsoever.

This is why a nonphysical reality cannot be proven using the apparatus of thought, or any of its offspring such as reason and science. Because thought, reason, and science only ever deal with objectivity. When we describe mental events through language and reason, we are merely translating them into objects, but there is no direct way of communicating an experience through language.

And precisely because reason and language cannot and do not directly address the nonphysical -- and therefore cannot prove its existence in any scientific sense -- one must fall back upon themselves as an experiencer, as consciousness, in order to grasp the nonphysical reality. Or, to put it in your terms, to expand themselves to the level at which an answer can be given. For, only by ceasing to identify yourself as an object (i.e., ego), but rather identifying with subject (i.e., consciousness), can you experience the nonphysical reality in its entirety, and in this entirety judge whether it can exist independently of a physical reality or not.

Answer 2

I love your question! My opinion is, yes, everything beyond the physical is nonsensical in the literal meaning that it cannot be apprehended by "sense". But why do we equate that with "ridiculous"? (Besides there's the obvious objection that our limited senses can only perceive a limited slice of the natural universe - infrared/ultraviolet light, supersonic waves, etc are demonstrably real even though we can't see or hear them.)

Most of humankind throughout history has accepted that there is a level of reality beyond our sense perception which we can still experience on some level. I don't see any reason to disagree with them; in fact my own experiences bear it out once I open myself up to them.

Answer 3

An answer can't be given without some way of deciding it's true (or even meaningful).

I don't know what you mean by nonphysical reality, for instance. In some senses of that, it exists, in other senses I'd say it doesn't.

I don't want to expand yourself, BTW... :)

Answer 4

Your thought process is a nonphysical reality with the potential to become physical...

There in lies the secret of the universe!


Your welcome!

*smiles...

Answer 5

Maybe what you call reality is only, what'd you call it, nonphysical...lol

Dare you do it...Expand and excel.

Good luck!

Answer 6

When my brother daydreams about being a guy from Starwars. That is abstract that is a fantasy.

Answer 7

of course, it does,,, mental thoughts, feelings, are all none physical, spiritual things also would fall into that category,,,, ask anyone who has had a near death experience, and they can give you details of non physical type things

Answer 8

Yes. How would you define an idea?