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'''Reality''', in everyday usage, means "the state of things as they actually exist".  "reality • noun (pl. realities) 1 the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. 2 a thing that is actually experienced or seen. 3 the quality of being lifelike. 4 the state or quality of having existence or substance.") The term ''reality'', in its widest sense, includes everything that [[being|is]], whether or not it is observable or comprehensible. Reality in this sense may include both [[being]] and nothingness, whereas ''[[existence]]'' is often restricted to being (compare with ''[[nature]]''). In other words, "reality", as a philosophical category, includes the formal concept of "nothingness" and articulations and combinations of it with other concepts (those possessing extension in physical objects or processes for example).

'''Reality''', in everyday usage, means "the [[state]] of [[things]] as they actually [[existence|exist]]".   

 

*noun (pl. realities)  

:# the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an [[idealistic]] or notional [[idea]] of them.  

:# a thing that is actually [[experience]]d or seen.  

:# the [[quality]] of being lifelike.  

:# the state or quality of having existence or substance."

 

The term ''reality'', in its widest sense, includes everything that [[being|is]], whether or not it is observable or comprehensible. Reality in this sense may include both [[being]] and nothingness, whereas ''[[existence]]'' is often restricted to being (compare with ''[[nature]]''). In other words, "reality", as a philosophical category, includes the [[formal]] concept of "nothingness" and articulations and combinations of it with other concepts (those possessing extension in [[physical]] objects or [[process]]es for example).

In the strict sense of western [[philosophy]], there are levels or gradation to the nature and conception of reality. These levels include, from the most subjective to the most objective i.e. rigorous: phenomenological reality, [[fact]], and axiom.

In the strict sense of western [[philosophy]], there are levels or gradation to the nature and conception of reality. These levels include, from the most subjective to the most objective i.e. rigorous: phenomenological reality, [[fact]], and axiom.

 

== Phenomenological reality ==  

== Phenomenological reality ==  

    

    

On a much broader and more subjective level, the private experiences, curiosity, [[inquiry]], and selectivity involved in the personal interpretation of an event shapes reality as seen by one and only one [[individual]] and hence is called phenomenological. This form of reality might be common to others as well, but at times could also be so unique to oneself as to be never experienced or agreed upon by any one else. Much of the kind of experience deemed [[spiritual]] occurs on this level of reality. From a phenomenological perspective, reality is that which is phenomenally real and unreality is nonexistent. Individual perception can be based upon an individual's [[personality]], focus and style of attribution, causing him or her to see only what he or she wants to see or believes to be true. Husserl's phenomenology is ultimately an analysis of the inner structures of [[consciousness]] which involves seeing the underlying nature of consciousness and many things outside of consciousness).

On a much broader and more subjective level, the [[private]] experiences, curiosity, [[inquiry]], and selectivity involved in the [[personal]] interpretation of an event shapes reality as seen by one and only one [[individual]] and hence is called phenomenological. This form of reality might be common to others as well, but at times could also be so [[unique]] to oneself as to be never experienced or agreed upon by any one else. Much of the kind of experience deemed [[spiritual]] occurs on this level of reality. From a phenomenological [[perspective]], reality is that which is phenomenally real and unreality is nonexistent. Individual [[perception]] can be based upon an individual's [[personality]], [[focus]] and style of attribution, causing him or her to see only what he or she wants to see or believes to be true. Husserl's phenomenology is ultimately an [[analysis]] of the [[Inner Life|inner] structures of [[consciousness]] which involves seeing the underlying nature of consciousness and many things outside of consciousness).

== Truth ==   

== Truth ==   

According to the less realist trends in philosophy, such as [[postmodernism]]/[[post-structuralism]], [[truth]] is subjective. When two or more individuals agree upon the interpretation and [[experience]] of a particular event, a [[consensus]] about an event and its experience begins to be formed. This being common to a few individuals or a larger group, then becomes the 'truth' as seen and agreed upon by a certain set of people-the '''''consensus reality'''''. Thus one particular [[groups|group]] may have a certain set of agreed truths, while another group might have a different set of consensual 'truths'. This lets different [[community|communities]] and societies have varied and extremely different notions of reality and truth of the external world. The [[religion]] and [[belief]]s of people or communities are a fine example of this level of socially constructed 'reality'. Truth cannot simply be considered truth if one speaks and another hears because individual bias and fallibility challenge the idea that certainty or objectivity are easily grasped. For Anti-realists, the inaccessibility of any final, objective truth means that there is no truth beyond the socially-accepted consensus. (Although this means there are truths, not truth).

According to the less realist trends in [[philosophy]], such as [[postmodernism]]/[[post-structuralism]], [[truth]] is subjective. When two or more individuals agree upon the interpretation and [[experience]] of a particular event, a [[consensus]] about an event and its experience begins to be formed. This being common to a few individuals or a larger group, then becomes the 'truth' as seen and agreed upon by a certain set of people-the '''''consensus reality'''''. Thus one particular [[groups|group]] may have a certain set of agreed truths, while another group might have a different set of consensual 'truths'. This lets different [[community|communities]] and societies have varied and extremely different notions of reality and [[truth]] of the external world. The [[religion]] and [[belief]]s of people or communities are a fine example of this level of socially constructed 'reality'. Truth cannot simply be considered truth if one speaks and another hears because individual bias and fallibility challenge the [[idea]] that certainty or objectivity are easily grasped. For Anti-realists, the inaccessibility of any final, objective truth means that there is no truth beyond the socially-accepted consensus. (Although this means there are truths, not truth).

For realists, the world is a set of definite [[fact]]s, which obtain independently of humans ("The world is all that is the case" - ''[[Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus]]''), and these facts are the final arbiter of truth. [[Michael Dummett]] expresses this in terms of the principle

For realists, the world is a set of definite [[fact]]s, which obtain independently of humans ("The world is all that is the case" - ''[[Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus]]''), and these facts are the final arbiter of truth. [[Michael Dummett]] expresses this in terms of the principle

== Fact ==

== Fact ==

A fact or factual entity is a phenomenon that is perceived as an elemental principle. It is rarely one that could be subject to personal interpretation. Instead, it is most often an observed phenomenon of the natural world. The proposition 'viewed from most places on Earth, the sun rises in the east', is a fact. It is a fact for people belonging to any group or nationality, regardless of which language they speak or which part of the hemisphere they come from. The Galilean proposition in support of the Copernican [[theory]], that the sun is the center of the solar system is one that states the fact of the natural world. However, during his lifetime Galileo was ridiculed for that factual proposition, because far too few people had a consensus about it in order to accept it as a truth. Fewer propositions are factual in content in the world, as compared to the many truths shared by various communities, which are also fewer than the innumerable individual [[worldviews]]. Much of scientific exploration, experimentation, interpretation and [[analysis]] is done on this level.

A fact or factual entity is a phenomenon that is perceived as an elemental principle. It is rarely one that could be subject to personal interpretation. Instead, it is most often an observed phenomenon of the natural world. The proposition 'viewed from most places on Earth, the sun rises in the east', is a fact. It is a fact for people belonging to any group or nationality, regardless of which language they speak or which part of the hemisphere they come from. The Galilean proposition in support of the Copernican [[theory]], that the sun is the center of the solar system is one that states the fact of the natural world. However, during his lifetime Galileo was ridiculed for that factual proposition, because far too few people had a consensus about it in order to accept it as a truth. Fewer propositions are factual in content in the world, as compared to the many truths shared by various communities, which are also fewer than the innumerable individual [[frame of reference|worldview]]s. Much of scientific exploration, experimentation, interpretation and [[analysis]] is done on this level.

This view of reality is well expressed by [[Philip K. Dick]]'s statement that "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."

This view of reality is well expressed by [[Philip K. Dick]]'s statement that "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."

"Reality," the concept, is contrasted with a wide variety of other concepts, largely depending upon the [[intellectual]] discipline.  It can help us to understand what we mean by "reality" to note that what we say ''is not'' real because we see it through different perspectives, therefore there is no basis for reality. But usually if there is no original and related proofs, it isn't reality.

"Reality," the concept, is contrasted with a wide variety of other concepts, largely depending upon the [[intellectual]] discipline.  It can help us to understand what we mean by "reality" to note that what we say ''is not'' real because we see it through different perspectives, therefore there is no basis for reality. But usually if there is no original and related proofs, it isn't reality.

In [[philosophy]], reality is contrasted with nonexistence (penguins do exist; so they are real) and mere possibility (a mountain made of gold is merely possible, but is not known to be real—that is, actual rather than possible—unless one is discovered).  Sometimes philosophers speak as though reality is contrasted with existence itself, though ordinary language and many other philosophers would treat these as synonyms.  They have in [[mind]] the notion that there is ''a kind'' of reality - a mental or [[intentional]] reality, perhaps - that imaginary objects, such as the aforementioned golden mountain, have.   

In [[philosophy]], reality is contrasted with nonexistence (penguins do exist; so they are real) and mere possibility (a mountain made of gold is merely possible, but is not known to be real—that is, actual rather than possible—unless one is discovered).  Sometimes philosophers speak as though reality is contrasted with existence itself, though ordinary language and many other philosophers would treat these as synonyms.  They have in [[mind]] the notion that there is ''a kind'' of reality - a mental or [[intention]]al reality, perhaps - that imaginary objects, such as the aforementioned golden mountain, have.   

Some schools of [[Buddha|Buddhism]] hold that reality is something void of description, the formless which forms all illusions or [[maya]]. Buddhists hold that we can only discuss objects which are not reality itself and that nothing can be said of reality which is true in any absolute sense. Discussions of a permanent self are necessarily about the reality of self which cannot be pointed to nor described in any way. Similar is the [[Taoist]] saying, that the [[Tao]] that can be named is not the true Tao, or way.

Some schools of [[Buddha|Buddhism]] hold that reality is something void of description, the formless which forms all illusions or [[maya]]. Buddhists hold that we can only discuss objects which are not reality itself and that nothing can be said of reality which is true in any absolute sense. Discussions of a permanent self are necessarily about the reality of self which cannot be pointed to nor described in any way. Similar is the [[Taoist]] saying, that the [[Tao]] that can be named is not the true Tao, or way.

It is worth saying at this point that many philosophers are not content with saying merely what reality ''is not''.  Some of them have positive theories of what broad categories of objects are real, in addition.  See ''[[ontology]]'' as well as ''philosophical realism''; these topics are also briefly treated below.

It is worth saying at this point that many philosophers are not content with saying merely what reality ''is not''.  Some of them have positive theories of what broad categories of objects are real, in addition.  See ''[[ontology]]'' as well as ''philosophical realism''; these topics are also briefly treated below.

In ethics, [[Political science|political theory]], and the [[The Arts|arts]], reality is often contrasted with what is "[[Idealism|ideal]]."

In ethics, [[Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought|political theory]], and the [[The Arts|arts]], reality is often contrasted with what is "[[ideal]]."

One of the fundamental issues in ethics is called the ''is-ought problem'', and it can be formulated as follows: "Given our knowledge of the way the world 'is,' how can we know the way the world 'ought to be'?" Most ethical views hold that the world we live in (the ''real'' world) is ''not ideal''; and, as such, there is room for improvement.

One of the fundamental issues in ethics is called the ''is-ought problem'', and it can be formulated as follows: "Given our knowledge of the way the world 'is,' how can we know the way the world 'ought to be'?" Most ethical views hold that the world we live in (the ''real'' world) is ''not ideal''; and, as such, there is room for improvement.

In the arts there was a broad movement beginning in the 19th century, realism (which led to [[naturalism]]), which sought to portray characters, scenes, and so forth, realistically.  This was in contrast and reaction to [[romanticism]], which portrayed their subjects idealistically.  Commentary about these artistic movements is sometimes put in terms of the contrast between the real and the ideal: on the one hand, the average, ordinary, and natural, and on the other, the superlative, extraordinary, improbable, and sometimes even supernatural.  Obviously, when speaking in this sense, "real" (or "realistic") does not have the same meaning as it does when, for example, a philosopher uses the term to distinguish, simply, what exists from what does not exist.

In the arts there was a broad movement beginning in the 19th century, realism (which led to [[naturalism]]), which sought to portray characters, scenes, and so forth, realistically.  This was in contrast and reaction to [[romanticism]], which portrayed their subjects idealistically.  Commentary about these artistic movements is sometimes put in terms of the contrast between the real and the [[ideal]]: on the one hand, the average, ordinary, and natural, and on the other, the superlative, extraordinary, improbable, and sometimes even supernatural.  Obviously, when speaking in this sense, "real" (or "realistic") does not have the same meaning as it does when, for example, a philosopher uses the term to distinguish, simply, what exists from what does not exist.

In the arts, and also in ordinary life, the notion of reality (or realism) is also often contrasted with illusion.  A painting that precisely indicates the visually-appearing shape of a depicted object is said to be realistic in that respect; one that distorts features, as [[Pablo Picasso]]'s paintings are famous for doing, are said to be unrealistic, and thus some observers will say that they are "not real."  But there are also tendencies in the visual arts toward so-called ''realism'' and more recently ''photorealism'' that invite a different sort of contrast with the real.  [[Trompe l'oeil|Trompe-l'œil]] (French, "fool the eye") paintings render their subjects so "realistically" that the casual observer might temporarily be deceived into thinking that he is seeing something, indeed, ''real'',  but in fact, it is merely an illusion, and an intentional one at that.

In the arts, and also in ordinary life, the notion of reality (or realism) is also often contrasted with illusion.  A painting that precisely indicates the visually-appearing shape of a depicted object is said to be realistic in that respect; one that distorts features, as [[Pablo Picasso]]'s paintings are famous for doing, are said to be unrealistic, and thus some observers will say that they are "not real."  But there are also tendencies in the visual arts toward so-called ''realism'' and more recently ''photorealism'' that invite a different sort of contrast with the real.  [[Trompe l'oeil|Trompe-l'œil]] (French, "fool the eye") paintings render their subjects so "realistically" that the casual observer might temporarily be deceived into thinking that he is seeing something, indeed, ''real'',  but in fact, it is merely an illusion, and an [[intention|intentional]] one at that.

In [[psychiatry]], reality, or rather the idea of being ''in touch with reality'', is integral to the notion of [[schizophrenia]], which has often been defined in part by reference to being "out of touch" with reality.  The schizophrenic is said to have ''hallucinations'' and ''delusions'' which concern people and events that are not "real."  However, there is controversy over what is considered "out of touch with reality," particularly due to the noticeable comparison of the process of forcibly institutionalising individuals for expressing their beliefs in society to reality enforcement.  The practice's possible covert use as a political tool can perhaps be illustrated by the 18th century psychiatric sentences in the U.S. of black slaves for 'crazily' attempting to escape.  

In [[psychiatry]], reality, or rather the [[idea]] of being ''in touch with reality'', is integral to the notion of [[schizophrenia]], which has often been defined in part by reference to being "out of touch" with reality.  The schizophrenic is said to have ''hallucinations'' and ''delusions'' which concern people and events that are not "real."  However, there is controversy over what is considered "out of touch with reality," particularly due to the noticeable comparison of the process of forcibly institutionalising individuals for expressing their beliefs in society to reality enforcement.  The practice's possible covert use as a political tool can perhaps be illustrated by the 18th century psychiatric sentences in the U.S. of black slaves for 'crazily' attempting to escape.  

In each of these cases, discussions of reality, or what counts as "real," take on quite different casts; indeed, what we say about reality often depends on what we say it is not.

In each of these cases, discussions of reality, or what counts as "real," take on quite different casts; indeed, what we say about reality often depends on what we say it is not.

The source of [[universe]] reality is the [[Infinite]]. The [[material]] [[things]] of [[finite]] creation are the time-space repercussions of the [[Paradise]] Pattern and the Universal Mind of the [[eternal]] [[God]]. Causation in the physical world, self-[[consciousness]] in the [[intellect]]ual world, and progressing selfhood in the [[spirit]] world÷these realities, projected on a universal scale, combined in eternal relatedness, and [[experience]]d with perfection of [[quality]] and [[divinity]] of [[value]] constitute the reality of the [[Supreme]]. But in an ever-changing universe the Original [[Personality]] of causation, [[intelligence]], and spirit experience is changeless, absolute. All things, even in an eternal universe of limitless values and divine qualities, may, and oftentimes do, change except the Absolutes and that which has attained the physical status, intellectual embrace, or spiritual identity which is absolute.[http://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper130.html#4.%20DISCOURSE%20ON%20REALITY]

The source of [[universe]] reality is the [[Infinite]]. The [[material]] [[things]] of [[finite]] creation are the time-space repercussions of the [[Paradise]] Pattern and the Universal Mind of the [[eternal]] [[God]]. Causation in the physical world, self-[[consciousness]] in the [[intellect]]ual world, and progressing selfhood in the [[spirit]] world÷these realities, projected on a universal scale, combined in eternal relatedness, and [[experience]]d with perfection of [[quality]] and [[divinity]] of [[value]] constitute the reality of the [[Supreme]]. But in an ever-changing universe the Original [[Personality]] of causation, [[intelligence]], and spirit experience is changeless, absolute. All things, even in an eternal universe of limitless values and divine qualities, may, and oftentimes do, change except the Absolutes and that which has attained the physical status, intellectual embrace, or spiritual identity which is absolute.[http://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper130.html#4.%20DISCOURSE%20ON%20REALITY]

 

== References ==

== References ==

#Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English, Oxford University Press, 2005 (Full entry for reality: "reality • noun (pl. realities) 1 the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. 2 a thing that is actually experienced or seen. 3 the quality of being lifelike. 4 the state or quality of having existence or substance.")

#Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English, Oxford University Press, 2005 (Full entry for reality: "reality • noun (pl. realities) 1 the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. 2 a thing that is actually experienced or seen. 3 the quality of being lifelike. 4 the state or quality of having existence or substance.")

#Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Michael Dummett

#[http://www.iep.utm.edu/d/dummett.htm Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Michael Dummett]

#Norsen, T. - Against "Realism"

#[http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0607057v2 Norsen, T. - Against "Realism"]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]