Philosophy defines reality as the sum of all that is real, absolute, and unchangeable. But can reality actually be defined absolutely, or is it something that is different for everyone? Is it not true that how we view reality is based upon our own personal framework of experience? Or is there in truth a reality beyond that which we see daily, is there an absolute unchangeable constant that is always with us? And if so, what is it?
Kierkegaard believed that the only unchangeable, immutable constant in the universe was God. And that only through religion could we finally see, find purpose in, and understand reality. Although many would disagree with Kierkegaard it is nevertheless a truth that belief in God, or a higher power, provides us with a chance to relinquish some of the responsibility for our own lives. When a tragedy, or major life crisis, occurs a believer can rely upon their faith and strength to face whatever comes their way. But along with that benefit comes the added responsibility of righteousness, or “right living”. Having faith in God, and reaping the benefits of his love and salvation means that we must also live as He instructs us to live. A believer must continually ask the question that Socrates asked: “How should I live? What is right?”
But what if we look at reality in a different way, as did Jean-Paul Sartre. What if we subscribe to the existentialist view that life is random, and contains no purpose other than that which is by our own design. Doesn't that leave us free to live life as we choose, without constraints or the moral confines that come with the belief in a higher power? If there is no purpose or grand design, then why must we behave in a way not compatible to our natures? Why must we hold ourselves back? Why can't we just give in to our most base desires? Why must we subscribe to rules and accepted modes of conduct? Is it just an attempt to further civilization and the human race, or is it something more? R.D. Laing, an existential psychologist put it quite succinctly when he said that abnormal behavior was not abnormal, but instead a normal response to an abnormal world. We are living in an age when communication is greater than it has ever been before.
We can interact with people across the globe in a split-second, and yet many are lonelier than they have ever been before. Depression, anxiety, suicide, and crime run rampant all over the world and we are inundated on a daily basis with news stories focusing on senseless killings, genocides, and child abuse. But none of this should surprise us if we subscribe to the existentialist view of reality that speaks of the randomness of life. And if we believe that life contains no purpose other than that which we design, then of course we are free to do as we choose. Can we possibly imagine what would happen if this philosophy were adopted by people everywhere? Civilization as we know it would cease to exist, and utter chaos would rule supreme.
Beyond our personal realities lies yet another reality that affects all of humanity: that of the physical world in which we live. It is based in fact, and has been shrouded in myth since the dawn of time. Today, we accept the statement that our Milky Way galaxy occupies a small corner in the outer most reaches of the universe as an axiom. We spin through the great expanse toward an ultimate destiny for all of humanity that we cannot possibly fathom; yet most of us spend our days completely unaware of that one reality that cannot be changed except by the complete and total annihilation of the planet.
So what is reality? In my opinion reality cannot be defined absolutely. According to Einstein all things are relative, and I agree. Each individual life is made up of experiences that are common to all creatures. In other words, every living creature must, by their very nature, encounter certain particulars. For example, we all must eat, sleep, breath and so forth, but beyond that, everyone's experiences are unique unto themselves. By way of illustration lets say that two women were walking down a busy city street when they came upon a homeless man asking for change. One woman gives the man all the change she has, while the other turns away in disgust. Both of these women experienced the same circumstance, but reacted very differently because of their individual past experiences and framework of existence. Therefore, their reality was different based upon their own perception of the situation, and in turn each woman, by their reaction to the situation changed the reality of the beggar as well, thereby setting off a chain reaction that could possibly exponentially alter the personal realities of countless other people.
As I said, Kierkegaard believed that the ultimate reality was based in God, and I agree. We cannot possibly begin to understand the depth with which the universe was created, or why. Science can only take us so far. It can only answer so much, and then we are left to decide for ourselves. Which is what we will do in our minute corner of the universe. We will continue to search for the answers to the questions of life, for if we stop searching we will surely cease to exist: or will we?
