From another thread- thought I'd move it here...
One of the easiest ways to approach this is to take the side of 'we cannot know objective reality.'
This quickly slides into absurdity or an unpleasantness most people would not accept.
First, the very position is dependent upon knowing an objective reality (the law that states we cannot know objective reality).
Secondly, if we claim it is impossible to know objective reality- why educate ourselves? Why do anything?
I like to use the example of getting punched in the face to address both this question as well as the 'how do we know we exist' question.
It is all good and valuable to debate these things, but if someone comes up and punches you in the face, then you realize:
1- objective existence beyond you is real (a hard fist to the nose)
2- we exist, because something else that exists (see 1) just caused you pain which you could not control
An interesting question, but it derails this thread. It is a more fundamental question than the OP seems to need. He/she seems to already accept we can know things.Quote:
AstroAg17 said:
How can we possibly know objective reality?
One of the easiest ways to approach this is to take the side of 'we cannot know objective reality.'
This quickly slides into absurdity or an unpleasantness most people would not accept.
First, the very position is dependent upon knowing an objective reality (the law that states we cannot know objective reality).
Secondly, if we claim it is impossible to know objective reality- why educate ourselves? Why do anything?
I like to use the example of getting punched in the face to address both this question as well as the 'how do we know we exist' question.
It is all good and valuable to debate these things, but if someone comes up and punches you in the face, then you realize:
1- objective existence beyond you is real (a hard fist to the nose)
2- we exist, because something else that exists (see 1) just caused you pain which you could not control