Reality-Old

Introduction

Our first task in the execution of revolutionary philosophy is answering the basic question of philosophy of what is reality. Of course one of the expressed purposes in answering this question is to further revolutionary philosophy and to revive philosophy itself. After all, truth of reality is the first criterion of truth in the study of pure philosophy. From that highest truth emerges all other truths that will aid as well in the formulation of other philosophies. The existence of the first truth will greatly aid us in the restoration and the organization of classical and contemporary philosophy which are greatly divided.

There is also the goal of uniting all knowledge of the world which currently is in divide. The first truth is the first step to achieve it. In fact, even with just the first truth then all knowledge has been bound and made obedient to this truth. With more truths however, the relations of knowledge shall be made stronger and through the help of integral philosophy all sciences can be reunited. With that, an integrative and universal world conception can be created, which touches all aspects, empirical or idealistic, physical or social.

In the practical form, answering this question is the first step in the resolution of the global crisis. Today we know of the hardliners who wish to conquer the world in their own name, of the materialists who disregards philosophy and deifies empiricism, of the “tolerant” which are incredibly relativistic and subjective in ethics. Not to mention the concrete problems of threats of war, economic tension and the uncertainty which reigns across the world. With the right knowledge then we can know the right solution.

However, regardless of all that, the true purpose of answering this question is human life itself. Through answering this question, then we too have answered a no less important and no less asked question of “What is the meaning of life?” The moment we know the right purpose, then we are freed from suffering and we can grasp a truly better life. A life that is more meaningful, and more valuable. And this is the first step in reaching a more perfect life, not just for humans but for all beings of reality. As such, let us begin.

Existence of Reality

All things have essence, or a characteristic which defines that very thing. Or what makes such object different to all other things, and what becomes the base of itself. Reality as an “object” is no different and the task of philosophy is to know the deepest essence of reality. What differentiates the real from the unreal. And of course the first property that we can analyze as well as what must be determined beforehand is the existence of reality. Without any proof on the existence of reality, answers to all other questions, that is the demand for the knowledge of reality, can not be obtained.

For an existence is the most basic essence of all objects. If an object is nonexistent, then we could not even know or say anything of such object. Say a red apple, if that apple doesn’t exist then a formulation of that specific red apple would be not be possible. In fact we can not state the nonexistence of the red apple for the apple must be present and then disappear for us to be able to state its absence. If the apple exists as an idea, it still has an existence as it its material absence can be described.

However, what is the proof of the existence of an object or any reality? In logic, it is assumed that all true statements have a proof, yet the philosophical truth of existence which is recognized by all philosophers can never be concretely or directly proved. In a sense that a proof has been provided, but none have attacked the problem directly. Previously Descartes have made a formulation more commonly known as the Cogito Ergo Sum, or “I think therefore I am”. As a starting point, it is better if we look closely this basic philosophical statement.

The Cartesian argument is that he can doubt all things but not his own doubt. This argument is not false, and in this discussion our conclusions will not stray far from the Cogito. It is just that our approach will be in essence different from the Cartesian perspective. If Descartes took an approach of ego, that is in reference to his person, we shall take a transcendent perspective, which does not refer to any egos or person. And to prove the existence of reality we must take a starting point.

The true criterion of existence of reality has not been formulated, as such it is not false for us to take the empirical assumption that all things that exist are those that can be sensed. A logical conclusion, though must still be debated and questioned. Let there be a red apple, if we can sense it then it passes the existence test. Ideas of red apples are also accepted as they can translated to empirical form even if they have an idealist essence. One other criteria is if the object can be sensed collectively, meaning it genuinely exists, or personally, which means it may be a hallucination or illusion.

In a glance, the empirical criterion may seem logical and rational, yet a short analysis can show several problems. First, the empirical criterion relies on the human belief in the sensory organs, that sensory experience is the primary source of knowledge. Even though empirically, it is proven that while senses are good, they are not as perfect or accurate as we humans like to think. Sometimes empirical objects turn out to be false and so on. And of course, the greater problem of empiricism is the existence of humans itself, and the proof for the observer’s existence.

We can argue that the existence of humans as an observer is proved by the collective human sense, where each human guarantees the existence of their fellow humans. On the contrary, nothing can prove the collective existence of humanity, and even if there is we still need to question the proof of that proof and it continues without end. With this we can conclude that proving existence by external factors is not a good criterion, for it inevitably causes circular reasoning and infinite regressions.

Without a clear or concrete criterion of existence of reality, no existence can be determined logically and we can not state the existence of reality. Instead due to the doubt towards the existence of reality, and the lack of certainty of it, it can be stated that reality in truth does not exist. This answer may seem sufficient, but we must nonetheless examine that statement until its truth, or falsity is clear.

If reality is indeed nonexistent, we can formulate a statement of the nonexistence of reality. This statement would say, “Reality doesn’t exist.” Yet with the existence of such statement arises several fatal problems for our idea of nonexistence. If reality is indeed nonexistent, then how can we state it? As there is nothing that can observe this state of nonexistence. Then we assume that this statement is separate from the reality it is describing, even though in the process of creating this statement, a reality is caused. This statement has become “real”, and in fact we can also say something about this condition.

The statement of nonexistence of reality, while seemingly true is actually false for one thing, that the statement does not consider itself. This statement may be true if it speaks of everything outside of itself which may actually be empty. However, when it speaks of reality it must consider itself and its existence has been proven, no matter what. Consequently we can change that statement to “Reality exists,” or in relation to itself, “ ‘I’ exist,” and this is where our philosophical journey truly begins.

With this, the existence of reality is proven and guaranteed. What is interesting is that the existence of reality is not determined by anything outside of reality. And that this existence can state and prove its own existence, alike with the Cartesian conception of Cogito Ergo Sum. While there is not conceptual difference between our analysis and the Cogito, what differentiates the two is the expression. Where Descartes expresses it personally, we express this without person and detached from this thought. With the proof of existence, the next step is to determine pure reality.

Pure Reality

The primary essence of reality is indeed its existence, what exists is real and what is real exists. What differentiates reality and existence is if reality is a set, then existence is the quality of being within such set. Things outside of the set are not included within the set and is not the set either. This pure essence should not be debated, and neither have all philosophers or the common folk debate it. What is debatable is what comes next.

Generally speaking, people make the mistake of assuming empirical realities as pure realities even when no certain proof has been made in regards to our current reality. We only know the fact that reality is existence and vise versa, no more no less. As such we will also start from there, without adding or subtracting anything. The first thing that we can know is that reality is composed of a single statement which states itself. Since there is nothing aside from that idea, let us call it an entity.

The entity of reality, as the whole of reality and sole member of reality has several key traits that we can summarize as one word, consciousness. This is shown in the process of proving the existence of reality. First, reality can prove its own existence and can state itself, this means that reality as an entity can observe itself. In layman terms, the capability of self observation and self statement is called consciousness.

Consciousness itself can be developed further into the concept of freedom. That the consciousness stands alone and is not determined by external entities, which is a condition described as freedom by common folk. This freedom also points to self causation and of course, reality is not caused by any entities outside of itself as there is only one reality that is the reality of consciousness and freedom. With that we can be formulate a general conclusion of pure reality, that is the most basic form of reality is an entity that is self aware and self caused.

Reality and Sense

The trait of pure reality as a free and conscious reality has been proven and determined, but the problem lies with one question, what about our empirical reality we hold today? Truely, all things that are seen are still seen, and what is sensed is still sense. As such all that we know does exist and is real, though they are often not in the purest forms of reality. The pure form of reality is as said, the entity of consciousness and freedom. Then what is the concrete relations between  pure reality and empirical reality?

In its core all things within reality are one, as such whatever we see are merely manifestations or expressions of that singular reality. All things in this world exists and is real within the set of reality. Even what can not be thought of is also real and exists, or those that have died, gone, or has not happened. Yet they still exist and is part of the whole reality, just as us humans and other beings.

Of course the formulation of reality as consciousness and freedom is insufficient to create a concrete relationship between empirical knowledge and pure philosophy. Only after the pure reality is known completely we can form a concrete integration between philosophy and empiricism. What is certain is that we know that empirical objects exist not because we observe, but we can observe them because they exist. Meaning they exist independent of observation, and humans too exist in this manner. And of course, God is real without requiring humans to sense the Lord.

Closing

With this our first task of formulating pure reality is done. Of course pure reality meaning the most essential characteristics of reality, that is freedom and consciousness. Through the questioning of all things we can find that reality exists and it is not determined by anything outside of itself. And the fact that reality can state itself is proof that it is a conscious entity. However our task is not done, as we must now seek the true meanings of consciousness and reality, as well as its relation to our current reality. For that, our journey has only just begun, God bless.

Note: This text is to be archived due to the release of a newer essay which addresses more critical problems of existence. However, it is possible that in the far future there will be newer additions to this same topic once the philosophy has been made absolutely clear. Thank you for your understanding.