The Energon Pub

homelessjunkeon wrote:

Shadowman wrote:Here's something they taught me in my pilosophy class, which relates directly to the Doubt of Perception:

How do I know you're real? You can say you're real, but how can I tell you're real, and not just some mind game played by some Penultimate Being?

See, that's how you shoot down Cogito Ergo Sum.

Actually that is precisely the line of reasoning that led DeCartes to his conclusion that the only thing he couldn't doubt was his own existence in some form or another.

"Real" is an entirely subjective thing. You can not be a "real" person, but all the same can still be a "real" existence outside your own conception, and that's as "real" as the life you thought you had. What is the actual definition of "real"?

homelessjunkeon wrote:

Shadowman wrote:Here's something they taught me in my pilosophy class, which relates directly to the Doubt of Perception:

How do I know you're real? You can say you're real, but how can I tell you're real, and not just some mind game played by some Penultimate Being?

See, that's how you shoot down Cogito Ergo Sum.

Actually that is precisely the line of reasoning that led DeCartes to his conclusion that the only thing he couldn't doubt was his own existence in some form or another.

I'm not doubting MY existance, that's real enough. I'm doubting YOUR existance.

You mind game, you.

I'm pretty sure I exist. Not too sure if you all exist.

Reality could be one giant farce, of higher beings controlling us in our everday lives dictating our actions in subliminal messages, or that little voice in our heads that we always thought was our conscience.

The idea of a false reality is intrigueing. It allows us to think that maybe the world being such a hell hole isn't at the fault of man. Maybe we're here for the ride and that's all. But whether or not our existence is an actual existence at all, it does not change the duties and morals to which we must live our lives by. Sometimes i wish I could "unplug" myself from this world into a more peaceful, serene reality in which joy and comfort are my only companions. But one cannot know joy and comfort without experiencing sadness and pain as well.

Story I heard: A Philosophy Professor gave his class its final exam. Before his class he took his chair from behind his desk and put it in front of them for display. He said to his class "Prove to me that this chair doesn't exist". Students began writing furiously explaining their points with backings in physics and perception. One student simply wrote two words, handed it to the proffessor, smiled, and walked out. What he wrote? "What chair?". He got an A.

First Gen wrote:The idea of a false reality is intrigueing. It allows us to think that maybe the world being such a hell hole isn't at the fault of man. Maybe we're here for the ride and that's all. But whether or not our existence is an actual existence at all, it does not change the duties and morals to which we must live our lives by. Sometimes i wish I could "unplug" myself from this world into a more peaceful, serene reality in which joy and comfort are my only companions. But one cannot know joy and comfort without experiencing sadness and pain as well.

I'd debate the whole "happiness not without suffering," but I'd agree that life generally seeks to grow, overcome, and adapt. Curiosity creates a search for obstacles, and that creates potential for suffering, while at the same time creates happiness from the whole of the chase.

The Avatar of Man wrote:

First Gen wrote:The idea of a false reality is intrigueing. It allows us to think that maybe the world being such a hell hole isn't at the fault of man. Maybe we're here for the ride and that's all. But whether or not our existence is an actual existence at all, it does not change the duties and morals to which we must live our lives by. Sometimes i wish I could "unplug" myself from this world into a more peaceful, serene reality in which joy and comfort are my only companions. But one cannot know joy and comfort without experiencing sadness and pain as well.

I'd debate the whole "happiness not without suffering," but I'd agree that life generally seeks to grow, overcome, and adapt. Curiosity creates a search for obstacles, and that creates potential for suffering, while at the same time creates happiness from the whole of the chase.

Its a never ending cycle. I guess thats what is meant when referencing the "Circle of Life".

Autobot032 wrote:No, this is too real to be a manufactured reality. If it were manufactured, it would be a lot more pleasant than it is. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy life, but there'd be no suffering.

My thoughts also.

YouFearGalvatron wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:No, this is too real to be a manufactured reality. If it were manufactured, it would be a lot more pleasant than it is. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy life, but there'd be no suffering.

My thoughts also.

Why would there be no suffering in a manufactured reality?