how can we be sure we exist?
By soadnot
@soadnot (1606)
Canada
3 responses
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
• Thailand
1 May 07
Your question may have more relevance than you know. In Quantum Physics they are taking a new look at the old question; "If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one to hear it, does it make any noise?" The answers they are coming up with go beyond strange. Take a look at this:
http://tinyurl.com/2tsk9w
@wertzburg1 (200)
• United States
7 May 07
I would think that if you are in a forest and you see a tree fall and you hear the sound, then when you are not in a forest, that same sound will be made.
It's the same as if a guy says something with no women around, is he still wrong? Obviously a tree falling is going to cause an impact and a sound, whether or not someone is around.
Or you could ask, if a tree is planted but no one is around, will it still grow? Of course it will. This is nature we're talking about. It has consistent cause and effect relationships.
People that are investigating whether or not a tree makes a sound when it falls need to find a new hobby. There are more important things out there to figure out.
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
• Thailand
8 May 07
First read the link I posted. This is not a question of Quantum Physics, It is not the dumb question it seems to be. Read and think again.
@wertzburg1 (200)
• United States
7 May 07
This type of philosophy is actually frowned upon by true philosophers. It's interesting to discuss because you could go on and on about it, but really it's just a waste of time.
I don't think the human mind is capable of imagining all that this world is. It's a pretty complex world.
Instead of worrying if you exist or not, why don't you go out and do something effective. Paint a picture, plant a tree, read a book.
Whether you exist or not doesn't matter because you'll never know anyways. So you might as well assume you do exist and get on with your life.
@Chiang_Mai_boy (3882)
• Thailand
4 May 07
I am reading your response or am I? I could be that I just think I am reading your response and it really is not there. Would your response be there if I was not reading it? Would this be there if you weren't reading it? It all sound kind of silly but it is not. Read the link I posted above and then ask yourself what is reality anyway.
