(September 14, 2015 at 5:41 pm)mh.brewer Wrote: I've got some questions for you. Please note that I'm not real big into philosophy. If you talk over my head I'll probably just ignore you.
Having come to this conclusion (only mind and its perceptions, correct me if I'm wrong) does this alter in any way the way that you interact with perceived matter or reality?
Does your conclusion allow that each individuals mind is separate from yours or is their mind only a perception of yours?
With this conclusion and your minds awareness of it, can you alter your minds perception of matter or reality? Through properties of your mind alone? i.e. can you alter matter without using other perceived matter? Can your alter another persons mind only by changing your perceptions?
Is this a "it's only what I perceive and think that is significant, therefore I am my own god" position?
ok. first question, it doesn't directly affect how you interact with reality. it can affect your perception, and philosophical position which can also affect how you behave and interact. for example, just as materialism implies atheism I would argue in a similar way idealism implies theism.
second, yes in idealism (but not solipsism) there is belief in minds distinct from your own. however, the only possible connection for these minds could be another mind (since idealism is a belief mind is fundamental). thus you have a belief in one mind that contains all other minds and creates the reality we experience. in other words, we're all derived from God's mind in his simulated physical world.
and I think I answered you third question. as for your fourth, since reality is being simulated by God, we cannot alter it. and your fifth question is moot with the answers I just provided.
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use and by some other means to give us knowledge which we can attain by them.
-Galileo
-Galileo
