What's real, what's not?
What is real?
According to the Oxford Advanced learner's dictionary (only certain definitions are extracted),
1. adj "existing as a thing or occuring as a fact, not imagined, supposed or pretended
2. actual or true, not just appearing so
3. very, real e.g "I am real sorry."
So I suppose our first hand experiences observed based on our 5 senses are considered real?
OR...
is "real" simply just not being fake?
Then if so, how would objects like cups, pens, buildings be classified? And how would intangible services be grouped? All are real, but the degree of reality?
Let's say: someone hands you a container and tells you that "this hollow container is a cup". Is what he said real? Or this "realness" is just based on his limited judgement that a cup is simply any container that is hollow?
To go deeper, lets start from analyzing the "container". This brings us back to the question: "Is this real?" Yes, this is definitely real, but how genuine? Is there anything that a cup can distinguish itself from any other containers? At this point, your judgement and everything that you have experienced from "reality" would "aid" in your understanding of doing so. How sure are we then, to say that the container is "really" a cup?
Sounds illogical, getting confused? Let's take a step further.
Now, let me bring in certain daily experiences that everyone would encounter: Interaction. When we meet someone (a friend or a foe) what makes that person real? Genuine actions? The sincerity in answering your every other question? Or simply, anything which your senses tell you that "he/she is real", again, based on your experience? Are you sure that what you are experiencing is "real"? The constant smile, the "never mind, it's okay" attitude and the carefree feeling of the person?
More often than not, it's when you know the person for a long time before you know how "real" he or she is. Behind every smile, you never know the fiery a person has. Behind every action, you never know how back-stabbed you are and behind every answer, you never know how lethal some tongues can get.
Welcome to the World of "The Matrix" where reality goes as far as what you believe.
According to the Oxford Advanced learner's dictionary (only certain definitions are extracted),
1. adj "existing as a thing or occuring as a fact, not imagined, supposed or pretended
2. actual or true, not just appearing so
3. very, real e.g "I am real sorry."
So I suppose our first hand experiences observed based on our 5 senses are considered real?
OR...
is "real" simply just not being fake?
Then if so, how would objects like cups, pens, buildings be classified? And how would intangible services be grouped? All are real, but the degree of reality?
Let's say: someone hands you a container and tells you that "this hollow container is a cup". Is what he said real? Or this "realness" is just based on his limited judgement that a cup is simply any container that is hollow?
To go deeper, lets start from analyzing the "container". This brings us back to the question: "Is this real?" Yes, this is definitely real, but how genuine? Is there anything that a cup can distinguish itself from any other containers? At this point, your judgement and everything that you have experienced from "reality" would "aid" in your understanding of doing so. How sure are we then, to say that the container is "really" a cup?
Sounds illogical, getting confused? Let's take a step further.
Now, let me bring in certain daily experiences that everyone would encounter: Interaction. When we meet someone (a friend or a foe) what makes that person real? Genuine actions? The sincerity in answering your every other question? Or simply, anything which your senses tell you that "he/she is real", again, based on your experience? Are you sure that what you are experiencing is "real"? The constant smile, the "never mind, it's okay" attitude and the carefree feeling of the person?
More often than not, it's when you know the person for a long time before you know how "real" he or she is. Behind every smile, you never know the fiery a person has. Behind every action, you never know how back-stabbed you are and behind every answer, you never know how lethal some tongues can get.
Welcome to the World of "The Matrix" where reality goes as far as what you believe.
posted by ZG at
3:10 pm
