I have a question

United States
December 14, 2006 6:01pm CST
Is our perception of reality accurate? Is the world around us real, or simply a figment of our imagination? How can we be sure that the objects that we observe in our daily lives even exist? What if it turned out that reality itself is just an illusion, and things really are not what they seem? What would you do about it if you found out?
3 responses
• United States
16 Dec 06
I remember having this same discussion with my sisters and a group of friends many many years ago. I think we had been watching an episode on Twilight Zone or Outer Limits where everyone was actually characters in a book's manuscript. Their lives kept changing as the author changed the text.
• United States
17 Dec 06
Thanks for the response! By the way, That episode you are talking about is from the Twilight Zone ;) I saw it before and it was rather interesting.
@vijay12 (1642)
• India
15 Dec 06
Our perception of reality,as it exists,on Earth,the Solar System and the others with which we have had experience,(familiarity)is real. If the Universe is only one,this should be the same everywhere.But we do not know for sure,as,we have not witnessed these. But we are witness to the existence of what we,see,here on Earth. Hence the world AROUND US is real.
• United States
15 Dec 06
some random picture - Just a random picture.
Thanks for your response! You bring up some very interesting points. However, what if our very own perception (and our ability to perceive) is flawed? How would we be able to distinguish that which is real from that which is not real, if this truly was the case?
• India
1 Feb 07
Different people have different perception. One man's meat could be another man's poison. A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home,a boy commented, "Very stupid. Why neither of them ride on the donkey?"Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, "The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?" Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey. Further on the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, "How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman." The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey. Then, they met a young man. He commented, "Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you." Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders. It seems to be the only choice left. Later, on a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river. You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future. Thus, do not be too bothered by others words if our conscience is clear..