People are constantly talking of reality. How often do we hear words such as : “get real” : “the reality is” : “it really is true”. It is as if we believe that the human senses and the human mind possess a mystical quality that enables them to transcend the material world and take a privileged view of it.
But is it true that human beings are capable of perceiving reality? Might it not be case that a herring has a better, truer appreciation of the world than we do? Are we wise to assume that the size and complexity of our brains has made us better at perceiving? Is it possible that all our complicated vocal expressions that describe the world are merely noises without any particular meaning? Might it not be the case that our consciousness is simply an elaborate deception – an evolutionary accident that is leading us to a dead-end?
There is so much to ponder here. And we will not be the first to ponder it, for certainly the world’s great religious thinkers have given much thought to the matter since the very earliest times. In fact, most likely, it is with this pondering that religion began.
It is interesting to reflect that, if we did perceive reality, we could never make a mistake about what we see. We could never mistake one person for another or one thing for another ; we could never mis-hear somebody’s words. Also, if we did perceive reality, there would be no science being done today ; all knowledge would have been completed long ago.
But, as ever, there are other ways of looking at the matter ; and some of those ways offer hope to those who believe that reality is within our grasp.
I remember your face but wonder when we will be fortunate to see it again.
Are you OK?
Hello Ike,
It’s good to hear from you, old friend. Just looking at the the date of this, my last blog post, I can see how idle I have been of late. May I plead writer’s block? At any rate, your kind wishes should jolt me into some kind of action.
I have been away from home quite a bit now, trying to be of some help with my daughter’s wedding. I say ‘trying to be’ because I am pretty much redundant at these festive things that take a lot of organizing ; I tend just to obey orders as best I can. But all went well, and it was truly uplifting to meet old friends and make new ones. Everybody was too kind towards my speechifying.
So, now I’m back, Autumn is upon us, and I must get down to sorting my ideas out on paper again. I sense a slight change of direction here … let’s see what happens.
I also have to re-connect with my blogging friends, whom I have neglected without excuse.
Take care, Ike, and thanks again.
Jamie
Thanks for your soothing calm.
It so happens that I only very recently started visiting MyT again, just kind of logging in once every few days and just reading and didn’t know that you are back there until after I had sent you my comment. It was purely fortuitous that I saw you in Brendano’s current Post and that makes your prompt reply so much more special.
I have been wayward with some of my blogging efforts but the past has now been relegated to where it belongs. My research work is mostly finished except for one important aspect that is taking much longer than I anticipated but I am gradually winding down on Posts to become more of a reader, except when the mood will attack me on occasions.
You must not forget that you “double post” the good stuff here and in the other place. Many others do; it enhances your exposure; you reach more of us less wise folks; it gives your work a greater permanence at WordPress and it is inconceivable that I can be the only one preferring to read it on WordPress than elsewhere. Indeed, I am so pleased to see you back in the other place to maintain some balance.
We are supposed to be in the second month of spring down here but parts of the country [unfortunately for me also my area] will laugh off any talk about Global Warming. It is better today for the first time in a week because winter was upon us in full force a week ago, perhaps to remind us of how small we are maybe.
You go well too and God bless.
Jamie
May I ask you to join us at Brendano’s WordPress Post?
http://brendano7.wordpress.com/2010/09/23/human-being-mechanism/
The Post is similar in name to his one in MyT where you already participated but there is consensus that we need you in his WordPress one on the same topic to add more enjoyment for the participants and, of course, to learn from your great wisdom.
Please do.
Hello Ike,
That’s a great blog by Brendan, and all good comments, too. I hope that more and more people will take up his theme and ask more questions like his. The world of science has moved in a crazy way and, as more people become impressed by the technology that science generates, so more of them are beginning to see themselves as simply machines. This is dangerous stuff ; it is de-humanising.
I should say that science is becoming more pagan by the day, but I wouldn’t wish to upset Brendan by saying it on his blog ! 😉
JW
I am pleased to meet someone to share my views of modern science; there used to be a time when science was constructive and the human race benefitted greatly from it but what passes as science today ….suffices to say that you have said it all.
Why not say it at Brendano? He is a remarkably open minded person. May I quote your sentiments as you expressed above?
Do go well; I hope we meet often in the future.
Morning Ike,
I have overlooked your comment, I’m sorry to say. Yes, there was a time when science was far more constructive ; but then it over-reached itself, believing not only that its methods are good, but that they are the only good. As so often happens, we push things to extremes and then end up being ridiculous.
Found you!
Good morning Simnx, I’m glad you found time to drop in. You’re welcome any time.