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[[Image:Unreal_Reality_2.jpg|right]]

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

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

*noun (pl. realities)  

*noun (pl. realities)  

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

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

:# a thing that is actually experienced or seen.  

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

:# the quality of being lifelike.  

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

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

:# 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).

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

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 ==