Do we know anything?

Question

Over the past year or so I have seen countless blogs and discussions about the existence of God, faith vs. logic, our purpose, our reality, etc. - just about any argument that tries to validate our existence. I have realized that if someone truly believes in something it is as real to them as anything else in this world. All these discussions always end without answer and it has made me think: Isn't reality our own perception? I believe reality exists through our OWN senses and interpretation. Who is to say someone else is wrong or right? Who is to tell a blind man that he is wearing a red shirt? We all have completely different ways of sensing things - the only thing we happen to share are our five senses. The biggest mistake we always make is to believe that these senses are the only senses we have.
So does there exist an universal fact? Is there such a thing as a true reality?

Larry K: Thanks for distinguishing existence and essence but you have not proven that perception cannot change existence. Does something exist if we cannot sense it is there? What if someone looks on the "hammer" and says and believes that nothing is there?

Larry K: You are assuming something can be perceived be one of our common senses it exists. What if we couldn't use our five senses, will the hammer exist? I don't think so. Look at situation where we cannot use our senses to validate the existence of God. Using your logic he does not exist, which to Christian is utter rubbish.

Answer 1

Stop thinking so hard, everything isn't as complex as you make it out to be.

Answer 2

<< " … … I have realized that if someone truly believes in something it is as real to them as anything else in this world. All these discussions always end without answer and it has made me think: Isn't reality our own perception? I believe reality exists through our OWN senses and interpretation.

So does there exist an universal fact? Is there such a thing as a true reality? …>>

Yes there is a true reality -- it's called existence.

Some people believe perception is reality. Whatever you think something is, that is what it is for you. And if someone else thinks it's something else, then that is what it is for them. So, we make our own reality. This highlights one of the fundamental problems that philosophy deals with -- essence versus existence. If we don't distinguish the 2 correctly, reality can get confusing.

Suppose I have an object in front of me -- a piece of wood with a piece of metal stuck on the end (what we would call the typical hammer found at a hardware store). Bob looks at the object and thinks it is a hammer. Peter looks at it and thinks it is the Jolly Green Giant's toothpick. So each perceives the object as something else, something different. For Bob it's a hammer, for Peter it's a toothpick. Who's right? Well, they both are -- in a way. But what does it mean when we classify an object by calling it a hammer or a toothpick? How are we classifying the existence of that object? Does this prove we create our own reality?

No.

One of the things humans habitually and naturally do is classify things by their function, or purpose -- how an object is used -- called its essence. A car, hammer, television, paper clip…etc., are all classified and named by how they are used. But there is another level of reality -- existence. A hammer or toothpick describes a thing's function, or use, but what about its existence? Although Bob and Peter may classify the object according to its use -- a hammer or toothpick, that doesn't change how the object exists. After all, they are both referring to the same object. Existentially, that object is made from some material, a certain metal and wood, it is extended in space, has a certain weight. These attributes of existence (scientific) are not subjective -- even though Bob and Peter have classified the object differently based on its perceived use. What it is can be separated from how the object exists. So, reality is that the object still is what it is -- it still exists how it exists and the perceived function or classification of the object by use does not change how that reality exists.

For Bob and Peter, classifying the object by use only tells us what they think the use of the object will be. And a particular object can be used for different things, or in different ways -- but this different use of an object doesn't change the reality of how that object exits.

The fact is we build all types of machines and objects, like an automobile -- and they actually work. We build rockets and actually fly people to the moon. For us to be able to do these things we must be able to ascertain reality correctly at least in some manner, even if we don't understand and grasp all of reality.

Hope this brief explanation helps to clarify things.

Note:

If you are really interested in Philosophy, and want to pursue a more in-depth discussion on this particular issue. I would recommend … "Being and Some Philosophers" by Etienne Gilson (see Amazon write-up). This little gem of a book goes through how various philosophers (From Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Plato and others) dealt with this problem, and why Aquinas position is the correct one on how to deal with existences.

Edit: ---------------------

<< Does something exist if we cannot sense it is there? >>

Maybe, maybe not. Undetermined.

<>

Then their judgement is either correct or not. You can't look on nothing, so they would be wrong. Now whether it is judged to be a hammer is another matter.

We judge existence -- that it is, and we perceive what an object is. This is why we can imagine things in our mind, like a hammer, that has no physical existence. Perceive whatness = concept of a hammer. Judgement tells us whether that hammer has an actual physical existence by its effects. You can't hammer with something that only exists in your mind in the real physical world.

We may not know the total reality of some existence, but for us to perceive any effect (5 senses) some existence must be causing that effect. Nothing cannot be the cause of something -- that effect. So we know something exists. It just requires various investigative methods like science or metaphysics to see and decide what that existence is.

Moreover, reality exists and operates whether we see it or not. The laws of chemistry and physics do not cease operating without an observer. The hammer, if it exists in reality, doesn't depend on us perceiving it. For God, we see his effect -- existence (creation), or more precisely, a contingent existence. In a similar fashion, we can't see magnetism, but we observe its effects -- so we know it has some sort of existence. And a very specific existence. We (the observer) don't determine what that existence and its effect will be, the effect is determined by what it is. In other words, the observer doesn't determine how magnetism operates, reality does. So this constrains how and what magnetism can be used for and how it operates in reality. If an observer goes against this reality, reality smacks one in the face. Magnetism does not operate how the observer decides it does, or it could operate any way anyone wanted it to.

Answer 3

Yes. I know the wisdom of the ancient Vedas which are the original "how to" books that came with the material creation from God. They explain We are not this material body, IE; Race, color, nationality, Religion, mind, intellect, senses, job, etc. We are all eternal spirit souls, part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, also known as Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Vishnu, etc. We never die, only this mortal body dies. This material world is not our real home, it is called Maya (illusion) and is temporary and full of misery, only one fourth of the souls come here, and the rest are enjoying blissful eternal loving relationships with our Maker named above. We fell here due to envying Gods position. He made the material world for those who want to try to live separately from Him (Which is impossible because He is actually everywhere). After many lifetimes of trying to be happy in this temporary world one becomes frustrated and board and begins to question their existence. We then seek out real happiness, and when one becomes sincere God reveals how to come back Home. Those who are intelligent, take up the process of self realization (Bhakti Yoga) which begins with the chanting of the Maha Mantra (the great mantra for deliverance from all suffering and illusion), which gives one real peace, happiness and reality. Then at the end of life they can give up all material attachments and fully surrender to God and return to the eternal Kingdom, where there is no more birth, death, old age, or disease and be eternally happy. I am so glad I know now. For info go to harekrishnatemple.com read The Science of Self Realization by Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada. Universal Truth

Answer 4

I think you raise a very good point. I heard somewhere that quantum physics says that molecules at their most minute form only move to the extent that the person looking at them wants them to move. So they have no inherent pattern of their own, but they form patterns that the observer expects of them. Once the observer stops observing them, they go back to some loose shape again. So does a tree really make a sound when it falls in a forest? Maybe it doesn't. It seems to me that our perceptions aren't the defining factor of how things really are, they are just our perceptions.

Answer 5

There are only perceptions of reality.
The only things I know is,There is a God,and Hes not me.
Also,
Control is an illusion,and their is a power greater than myself.

Answer 6

I recomend you to read Rene' Descartes work called "Metaphysical Meditations", which is also known as Meditations on First Philosophy. I highly recomend it. You can find all six chapters online at "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditations_on_First_Philosophy"

I hope it helps you in your search of answers.

Answer 7

This is a question, and discussion, that is far more complicated and worthy of so much more than Y/A can provide.

but thank you for the insight and for proving to me that not everyone on Y/A is shallow and selfish.

Answer 8

i see a question on YA asking "Do we know anything?" is that only something i perceive OR is it a reality, a universal fact that this question is on my computer screen as i type this right now? hmmmm....

Answer 9

The world is only how we see it. Beauty is truely in the eye of the beholder.

Answer 10

that's something you have do decide for yourself.
“Most of our so-called reasoning consists in finding arguments for going on believing as we already do.” -James Harvey Robinson