I think perception and reality are separate things, although they often coincide.
If there was no one, or no life at all, human or otherwise, here to perceive the universe, it would still exist, it would still be real. It would still be reality, that's how I see it anyway.
And on the other hand, indeed, people can perceive things that aren't actually there, that aren't real in 'reality'. But then on the other hand, there is still ONE sense they are real and still part of reality when they're deluded perceptions - they're still real in the brain of the deluded perceiver.
Even delusions are real in reality if you are talking about the fact they are real in the person's brain but that's it. It's all in their head and since the delusion in their head is part of reality, it is real in THAT sense - but it doesn't have to remotely correspond to reality outside their head - it can of course, just be a delusion. As with God(s).
EvF
EDIT: I forgot to say, good thread btw. I've thought about this myself before - surprised I didn't create a thread on it myself.
If there was no one, or no life at all, human or otherwise, here to perceive the universe, it would still exist, it would still be real. It would still be reality, that's how I see it anyway.
And on the other hand, indeed, people can perceive things that aren't actually there, that aren't real in 'reality'. But then on the other hand, there is still ONE sense they are real and still part of reality when they're deluded perceptions - they're still real in the brain of the deluded perceiver.
Even delusions are real in reality if you are talking about the fact they are real in the person's brain but that's it. It's all in their head and since the delusion in their head is part of reality, it is real in THAT sense - but it doesn't have to remotely correspond to reality outside their head - it can of course, just be a delusion. As with God(s).
EvF
EDIT: I forgot to say, good thread btw. I've thought about this myself before - surprised I didn't create a thread on it myself.
