Reality: Influenced by an Individual’s Perception and Interpretation
When the term reality is mentioned, many questions arise regarding what reality is and what is real originate also. Unfortunately, many of these questions are yet to be answered since determining reality and what is real are left to each individual’s imagination - for one to determine reality as he or she sees fit. A dictionary may provide a definition for the word reality, but things that constitute reality may never be entirely defined because it is one of those things that is almost completely based on an individual’s perception and interpretation. A dictionary may also provide a definition for the word perception and the word interpretation, but many individuals perceive and interpret many things very differently. With the vast variation of people, thoughts, and beliefs in our world, how should society determine the boundaries of reality? On the other hand, is it even possible to set specific limits when considering reality?
The movie chosen, as a springboard into the forthcoming philosophical discussion, was “Dark City”, A Mystery Clock Production by New Line Cinema directed by Alex Proyas. The movie raised many interesting questions and produced many engaging comments. At the very beginning of the movie, you hear the voice of Dr. Schreber, played by Kieffer Sutherland. He begins by saying, “They [the “Strangers”] had mastered the ultimate technology, the ability to alter physical reality by will alone.”i[1] If the “Strangers” are altering reality, the people of the city will never truly know what is real and what is artificial. Consequently, the city in which they live is all artificial and made up. We as viewers can see this, but ...
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...ed and are likely to continue to remain unanswered for many years to come. It is highly doubtful the term reality will ever be entirely and unrestrictedly measurable.
Notes:
i[1] Dr. Daniel P. Schreber in “Dark City” – the movie.
ii[2] Detective Walenski in “Dark City” – the movie.
iii[3] Woolley, Benjamin. “Virtual Worlds”. P 5.
iv[4] Woolley, Benjamin. “Virtual Worlds”. P 9.
v[5] Ludlow, Peter. “High Noon on the Electronic Frontier”. P 24.
vi[6] Collins Gem Dictionary and Thesaurus. P 450.
vii[7] Collins Gem Dictionary and Thesaurus. P 335.
viii[8] www.philosophypages.com/dy/ix3.htm#real – the definition of reality.
ix[9] Woolley, Benjamin. “Virtual Worlds”. P 213.
x[10] Woolley, Benjamin. “Virtual Worlds”. P 3.
xi[11] Woolley, Benjamin. “Virtual Worlds”. P 5.
xii[12] Woolley, Benjamin. “Virtual Worlds”. P 3.
In chapter ten of the book “Problems from Philosophy”, by James Rachels, the author, the author discusses the possibilities of human beings living in an actually reality, or if we are just living in an illusion. Rachels guides us through concepts that try to determine wiether we are living in a world were our perception of reality is being challenged, or questioned. Rachels guides us through the topic of “Our Knowledge of the World around Us”, through the Vats and Demons, idealism, Descartes Theological Response, and direct vs. indirect realism.
o The effect that each classification has upon what he may or many not do constitutes their “reality.”
How does one determine what is reality and what is a fantasy? One’s own reality can be skewed by emotions such as greed and obsession. In literature writers often use such emotions to bring their stories to a climax and resolution. In the novel Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton the character John Hammond’s obsessive and stubborn behavior and delusions inviability lead to his own demise. Hammond desires to have control over his project no matter what the cost ends up being is the root of his selfishness and stubbornness. This stubbornness is what enabled Hammond to become naive to the dangers of his park.
There are many ideas about the way things are suppose to be, they guide people in the way humans approach life and how people go about achieving our goals. Unfortunately people do not always accomplish these ideas they have for ourselves but the truth often times is what we really need. In the Shakespearean drama, Macbeth, he writes of a once cherished leader, Macbeth who is approached by supernatural being and acts out erratically to fulfill what prophesies he desires which lead to his eventual demise. Macbeth has difficulty perceiving idealism from the truth, in other words what he thinks should happen and what actually happens. The prophecies are the catalyst for his irrational thinking and from then on Macbeth becomes addicted to knowing what his future could be and taking it to the extreme of needing to create it then and there. Down this path he also has his wife Lady Macbeth who pushes him further to act on these prophecies to achieve the ultimate goal of the crown. She too has an obsession with doing whatever it takes to be Queen and have that authority to her name. These two characters take to the extreme what it means to need truth but desire their idealism and how this leads to their eventual demise.
The “Just War Theory” is known as a Christian philosophy that aims at reconciling three things. The first is that it strongly advocates that killing human beings is wrong. Secondly, it claims that the state has the mandate to defend its citizens as well as justice. Thirdly, people should protect innocent human life, should defend the moral values. According to this theory, observing these concepts requires the willingness to make use of force. Therefore, this Christian philosophy advocates for war while safeguarding the rights of its citizens and justice, as well as the innocent and moral values.
Taras examines the commitments and values of CBC with the Canadian government and the citizens. He looked at a particular case of when CBC clashed with the government, and how CBC struggled to keep their TV programs running (Taras, pp.4-5). Next he talked about how the media industry is being taken controlled by powerful corporation and claims that PSB have the responsibility to protect the minorities (Taras, p.6). Subsequently, Taras discussed the ups and downs CBC had gone through until this day. Lastly, Taras explores the complex and intimate relationship between public broadcasters and the government; how they take advantage of each other to accomplish their goals. Ultimately, Taras believes that PSB will continue to have an impact in society despite living in a generation of digital media.
Truth and idealism can lead individuals onto an enlightened path, however, with questionable ideals an individuals life can be persuaded inaccurately. In the Shakespearean Drama, Macbeth, the main characters experience misguidance from their own mislead ideals, which created significant disorder among themselves and the country of Scotland. Ambition combined with the unrighteous forces of Macbeth and Lady led them predominantly to deadly consequences. Macbeth and his wife are engrossed by the witches prophecies which directed them both to irrational thinking and absurd actions. These actions defined both characters throughout the play and impacted their demise tremendously. The ideals of the powerful couple, along with their overbearing ambition, lead their reality into an unconscionable future and their eventual death.
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