Is our understanding of reality limited by our reliance on logic?

In summary, Dreams flow illogicly, odd and inconsistent things often occur within them. We only notice this, however, when we are awake; during sleep the inconsistencies and paradoxes merge together and remain undetected- which one might consider nonexistant.
  • #1
Sikz
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0
Dreams flow illogicly, odd and inconsistent things often occur within them. We only notice this, however, when we are awake; during sleep the inconsistencies and paradoxes merge together and remain undetected- which one might consider nonexistant.

We base our science and understanding on logic. We find a way for things to fit together without contradiction or paradox. But... What makes us so sure that things do fit together like that? There could be inconsistencies and impossibilities going on constantly. If we can be unaware of them in a dream (and in a dream, mind you, we are conscious; we experience and learn consciously, if not in the same way as we do when awake), why couldn't we be unaware of them in reality? There are many ideas which seem to have supporting evidence but are contradictory. Maybe we're reaching the point in our knowledge of the universe that we can no longer fit all of the complex truths into our "logic"- maybe it is our creation and it is flawed, or maybe it is not flawed at all yet doesn't always hold true... It seems possible, doesn't it?
 
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  • #2
This reminds me of the movie "The Thirteenth Floor" where there was a population living in a city. One member one day found out that his world is not real and he is just a computer simulation and that all of his environment were just computer simulations. He was told that the computer simulation was created by someone in the "real" world. Well, the person in the "real" world who made the original computer simulation soon found out that his world was not real also but was running on a higher level computer.

The point being, how can we ever know for sure what is real and what isn't? I don't think we can. When we asleep, we think our dream worlds are completely real, most of us have no idea it's a fake world (unless you can engage in lucent dreaming). So, for all we know, our current world can all be fake.

Carlos Hernandez
 
  • #3
Originally posted by Sikz
But... What makes us so sure that things do fit together like that? There could be inconsistencies and impossibilities going on constantly.
Most people adopt Methodological Naturalism. It doesn't rule out anything inconsistant or impossible, it merely notes that this is the "consistant logical reality" is the only one we have experienced so far.
 
  • #4
Most people adopt Methodological Naturalism. It doesn't rule out anything inconsistant or impossible, it merely notes that this is the "consistant logical reality" is the only one we have experienced so far.

I didn't mean to imply that logical impossiblities happen that we havn't experienced; what I was trying to say was that logical impossibilities could be happening that we DO experience but don't notice, just as in a dream there are numerous such things that make perfect sense while you are in the dream. The flow of the dream's "plot", the dream's "reality" is consistent and unbroken, but when you wake up and examine the dream objectively and from outside of its confines you find obvious and blatant impossibilities and paradoxes.
 

1. What is the relationship between dreams and the real world?

The relationship between dreams and the real world is complex and not fully understood. Dreams are a product of our subconscious mind, while the real world is the physical environment we interact with. However, dreams can sometimes be influenced by our thoughts and experiences in the real world.

2. Why do we dream?

The purpose of dreaming is still a mystery to scientists. Some theories suggest that dreaming is a way for our brains to process and make sense of information and emotions. Other theories propose that dreams serve as a form of problem-solving or creativity. Ultimately, the exact reason for dreaming is still not fully understood.

3. Can dreams predict the future?

There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that dreams can predict the future. While some people may claim to have had dreams that came true, this is likely just a coincidence or a result of selective memory. Dreams are not a reliable source for predicting the future.

4. Can we control our dreams?

The ability to control dreams is known as lucid dreaming, and it is possible with practice and training. Lucid dreaming allows individuals to be aware that they are dreaming and possibly even control the content of their dreams. However, not everyone can control their dreams, and it is still a topic of ongoing research.

5. Do dreams have any impact on our waking life?

Dreams can sometimes have an impact on our waking life, but it is not always significant. Dreams can provide insight into our thoughts, emotions, and experiences, which can potentially influence our behavior and decisions. However, more research is needed to understand the extent of this impact.

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