What defines an observer for reality to exist externally?

  • Thread starter Thread starter magus niche
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Observer Reality
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of an "observer" in relation to the existence of reality, referencing Einstein's ideas. Participants explore the implications of consciousness, the nature of observation, and the philosophical questions surrounding existence and perception, with a focus on theoretical and conceptual aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether an observer must possess consciousness for reality to exist, suggesting that consciousness may have multiple levels or states.
  • A participant introduces the idea of a "timeless traveller" or "Superobserver," proposing a conceptual entity that could observe all events simultaneously, raising questions about the nature of observation.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that consciousness arises from the relationships between entities, implying that differentiation is essential for consciousness to evolve.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the knowability of whether consciousness precedes physical existence, describing it as a paradox.
  • Some argue that everything is interconnected, implying that the existence of a fallen tree in a forest is independent of human observation.
  • A participant posits that animals and organisms in the forest act as observers, suggesting that reality exists due to the presence of multiple observers.
  • There is a suggestion that reality requires an observer to experience something, leading to a conscious state, but acknowledges the potential for unknown states of consciousness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of consciousness for observation and the nature of reality. There is no consensus on whether consciousness is required for reality to exist or on the implications of observation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about consciousness and observation, with some participants acknowledging the limitations of their theories and the unknowability of certain aspects of existence.

magus niche
Messages
82
Reaction score
0
what defines an observer for reality to exist externally? (refer to Einstein)

personally i am not convinced an observer must have conciousness (i am not sure about how Einstein defined it). what is consciousness anyway?

i mean i believe i am consciouss, but it seems to me that there are many many levels/states of consciousness, not some generalised consciousness.

cliche: if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is present to observe it, does it occur? (something like that :wink:)
resulting question: what about the animals in the forest?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
magus niche said:
what defines an observer for reality to exist externally? (refer to Einstein)

personally i am not convinced an observer must have conciousness (i am not sure about how Einstein defined it). what is consciousness anyway?

i mean i believe i am consciouss, but it seems to me that there are many many levels/states of consciousness, not some generalised consciousness.

cliche: if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is present to observe it, does it occur? (something like that :wink:)
resulting question: what about the animals in the forest?

Well, a timeless traveller (who is also a universal observer) always see everything happen at time t = 0. A Superobserver ( as I otherwise call it) conceptually exists, but in actuality that's a different matter. If such an individual were to exist in actuality, nothing should stop it from seeing leaves fall or animals run around in the forest. Think about this conceptual possibility ...who knows... it may motivate you to actualise it!
 
Last edited:
magus niche said:
what defines an observer for reality to exist externally? (refer to Einstein)

personally i am not convinced an observer must have conciousness (i am not sure about how Einstein defined it). what is consciousness anyway?

i mean i believe i am consciouss, but it seems to me that there are many many levels/states of consciousness, not some generalised consciousness.

cliche: if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is present to observe it, does it occur? (something like that :wink:)
resulting question: what about the animals in the forest?
Actually, I think the whole thing begins with the differentiation between one thing and another. If, in fact there was only one thing -- which, would in effect be nothing :wink: -- without another thing to relate to and, in effect establish a relationship with, consciousness would not evolve. In other words consciousness comes about through the complex relationship between things.
 
Last edited:
hmmm... :bugeye: sometimes i think too much. the question of consciousness before or after physical existence is unknowable, no? paradox with no use...


...maybe for some. but i keep searching. the utilatarian ideals of physicalism will not bound me, although i have a physical body, so i must not be confused into thinking its all in my head...


others exist and they heave heads and hearts too.


so feel free to enter this 'light' (:smile:) discussion on whether consciousness precedes physicality. i personally believe time is eternal and so is the interplay that accompanies it.
 
Last edited:
magus niche said:
cliche: if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is present to observe it, does it occur? (something like that :wink:)
resulting question: what about the animals in the forest?
Yes, the tree must fall in the forest, because everything is interconnected that way. Otherwise there would be no fallen trees to observe if, perchance we were to walk into the forest.
 
and also (which i was hinting at in the first post) the animals and organisms in the forest are themselves observers. so the reality which is that place of forest at that time, existed due to the presence of many many observers.

the question is really, was there a time without conscious lifeforms?

and i believe this question is ultimately unknowable. i think even though someone can be enlightened, or illuminated, or scientifically knowledgeable, as a human being, it would seem a little arrogant to enforce an answer.

there are some things that can only be theorised, and i realize this now. not that theories aren't 'useful'! :wink:
 
Yet how can anything in fact go unnoticed? Human beings are merely witnesses. While I'm sure far more goes into the aspect of creating things than the mere witnessing of it. :wink:
 
Last edited:
magus niche said:
what defines an observer for reality to exist externally? (refer to Einstein)

personally i am not convinced an observer must have conciousness (i am not sure about how Einstein defined it). what is consciousness anyway?

i mean i believe i am consciouss, but it seems to me that there are many many levels/states of consciousness, not some generalised consciousness.

cliche: if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is present to observe it, does it occur? (something like that :wink:)
resulting question: what about the animals in the forest?

For a reality to exist an observer must experience something. When that experience happens a conscious state is known.

Analyzing human consciousness, there is many states but there also may be many other states that we just do not know humanly.

In a forest there is always someone present to observe it, did you ever consider it could observe itself?
 

Similar threads

Replies
15
Views
5K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
8K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
7K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K