Danieltwotwenty wrote:Hi guys
I was looking to get a non-belief response on this video, it poses some interesting questions and thoughts about reality and the nature of reality.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C5pq7W5yRM
There you go Rick, such a complainer.
Raises interesting questions.
Gives much thought about the nature of reality.
I'm finding that many Christian theologians (including WLC) seem to embrace Idealism.
Some of my own thoughts...
1) It seems to me, that an external or inter "cosmic observer" ought to override the findings of an "internal cosmic observer." Since the cosmic observer would always observe things first before we observe = our observation is superseded and we should only see the effect of the extra-cosmic observer. Such that, the "slit" experiments seeing particles or waves -- follow the observation of an internal observer (human scientists) rather than external/inter observer.
In essence, we should never become aware that our world is Idealistic. The video touches on this, and I'm not sure adequately deals with it, so I'd have to re-listen and reflect more on this point. But, for our own Idealism to hold true (to be able to affect the world) than it seems the higher-level cosmic observer would need to be able to without their observing from influencing an outcome, such that internal observers (us humans) could perform the "slit" experiments with different outcomes.
Thus, if true, there seems to be some sort of "real" substance underpinning reality that the external/inter observer (let's call the Ultimate Observer) has control over, such that His own consciousness and observing can be restricted from overriding that of an internal observer on some substance of reality. This seems suggestive to me that pure Idealism would be claiming too much based upon these experiments.
2) In order for the Ultimate Observer to also not be externally observed for their own existence, there would need to be some sort of inter-relationship within the Ultimate Observer such that each within this relationship observes one another allowing the existence of the Ultimate Observer to be sustained. Interesting that all this may in fact
logically support to the existence of a Ultimate Observer being something akin to a Trinitarian conception of God (something ironically considered illogical by many).
3) The extrapolated conclusions are immense. From a few experiments, to conclude that we ourselves must be observed for our own existence, and that person observing us and so on and so forth, well -- that is jumping to quickly to a fully-fledged Idealism without any cross-over to Realism + Idealism for different situations. It could be, that Idealism it true for certain situations, Realism is true for others and even the two cross over in certain circumstances -- a moderate form of Realism perhaps.
To simply jump to the conclusion that the entire world is Idealistic based on "some" experiments, is claiming victory for a lot more than can be actually proved.
Based on the video and my thoughts in (1) and (2), if true, then it seems to me one is lead to something akin to "God" being the Ultimate Observer. Even more, an inter-personal conception of God like in Christianity where the Trinity is believed.
Based on my thoughts in (2), Materialism may be debunked since there is something more going on. Material things may still be true, but they are not everything. Similarly a fully-fledged Realism may be debunked, but a more moderate Realism and dual substantialism is not.
I personally feel more comfortable embracing a Moderate Realism than I do either a pure Realism or Idealism.