threewood14 wrote:We cannot know with absolute certainty that the earth exists. We can only know with absolute certainty that we can sense something called the earth, but will never be able to prove its existance because we are limited to our interpretation. For example, it is possible that we are sensing something that is not there.
This statement says that we can know many things with asolute certainty, but it does not say that what we do see with absolute certainty is reality. It does not say we can know everything with absolute certainty either. The entire point is reality. I thought we had covered that already and it was implied in my statement.
"Man cannot know anything about reality except for his interpretation of reality."
Reality is referred to physical reality.
Mongoose42 wrote:Try this:
How do I know that you are not a figment of my imagination?
threewood14 wrote:Consider this. I was thinking. If nothing can be proven to be physical reality, then how can we know anything about physical reality? i think that if we cannot prove anything to be physical reality, then we must know nothing about it. I was also thinking that since my statement is about reality, why would it apply to my statement. is my statement matter, or patterns of energy? it does not have anything to do with matter. if you want to talk about electrons in the brain, that is a different story. my statment does not even apply to itself. in other words, it does not say that it cannot be proven. for if this is true, then we can know that we cannot know anything in reality with absolute certainty.
KohlyKohl wrote:Ok time to lay off the drugs man, they are not good for you.
No matter how humans or individuals define the reality around them, the reality exists in an absolute form.
Nice Rant, but first of all the arguements that have been made here do not say that nothing exists and that everything is a dream, they say that the possibility of another explanation exists so doubt exists about what is real or absolute.
Prove that we do not know there is probability!
threewood14 wrote:But what knowledge of the physical world do we have?
mercutio wrote:threewood14 wrote:But what knowledge of the physical world do we have?
Put your hand in a fire & see what knowledge of the physical world you have.
Bob says there's an apple on the table. Mary's says it's a pear. Who's right? Who's wrong? They're standing 30 metres from the table. Who's right? Who's wrong? Bob is short-sighted & not wearing his glasses. Mary has 20-20 vision. Who's right? Who's wrong?
Bob's "mental reality" says it's an apple. Mary's "mental reality" says it's a pear. The "physical reality" is, it's a pear. Why was Mary right & Bob wrong? I think that's obvious.
even those monkey living in the earth and controlling gravity will have their own view of this world.even those monkey living in the earth and controlling gravity will have their own view of this world.
Just because something is complex doesn't mean that there is going to be errors left and right.
And also, is there any difference between reality and our interpretations? It's the same thing if you ask me... Why would it be any different?
threewood14 wrote:I do not think that we can know anything with absolute certainty still.
mingshey wrote:It is absolutely certain that nothing is absolutely certain. Or is it not?
You keep meshing what could be happening and what is happening. They are two completely different concepts. Just because there is a possibility of something doesn't mean it's really happening. Sure this might be happening, but we all know it's not.
OK fair enough. But how about relative certainty?
I mean, if you're not certain that the earth exists, then you're probably not so sure that your teeth exist, either. But you probably still brush them every day.
What are the practical consequences of this lack of absolute certainty? I doubt very much that you are planning to stop brushing your teeth, on the grounds that your teeth aren't there, or to stop eating, on the grounds that your hunger pangs are an illusion.
"I know nothing" might be true, in the strict sense, but how does it help you?
"I'm pretty sure about some things" seems handier, as a starting point.
I mean, I can even predict the future, with some certainty. I predict that the sun will rise over the eastern horizon tomorrow. I don't know it with absolute certainty, but I'm pretty sure about it. I'll even bet money on it!
It is absolutely certain that nothing is absolutely certain. Or is it not?
I see what you're trying to get at but I still think you're missing the point. Sure, it's possible that all of these bizarre things are happening, but are they really? In my opinion, no, they are not happening. These "other possibilities" have no bearing or effect on anything! They mean nothing. Just because there is a possibility of something does not automatically create uncertainty. Things that might be happening have no effect on me or my certainty about anything and everything in my life. Sure there might be a YF-22 Raptor parked in my garage, but I know for a fact that there is NOT! The point is, possibilities have no bearing on reality nor on anything else that is happening.
Things that may be happening have no effect or influence on things that are happening. Thus, no uncertainty is created.
Nope. I only see one reality. I only hear one reality. I only smell one reality. I only touch one reality. I only taste one reality. I only perceive one reality. Also, I am certain this reality is real because others perceive it in the same way as I do. Via communication with others, my perception of reality is confirmed.
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