Sophist Society

Introduction to Reality

What is reality?

In order to best establish an acceptable theory of reality we must be reductive in nature to establish all the properties of an abstract notion such as reality. So how do you reduce what appears to be an abstract notion to a tangible theory with substance? Without factually defined parameters that are established as truth it seems quite impossible to determine that which is real without being reductive. This leaves little to do other than to be reductive in our search. By working in this fashion we should be able to establish the objective and the subjective, the constant and the flux.  Let us first look at what is commonly accepted as reality.

The common notion of reality is that if I or society deems an object or color as objectively real then it is, this however is greatly flawed in that it is plausible that what I perceive to be real is merely a subjective view of an abstract notion or object that may not be real to others. For example if I suffer from hallucinations I may perceive a goat in place of an ordinary tree where as others may perceive the tree. It is safe to say that manifestation although subjective in quality should never be so in type or quantity. This creates a problem for anyone who looks for a universal standard by which everything is measured to be or not. For those that fall in to this category there must be an objective standard for what is real and what is not. There must be a constant, there must be an established base for everything to be brought about that is independent of man. Reality must be an objective constant in that it consists entirely of constants. I will pursue a theory here that shows that this is in fact the case. I submit the following definition of reality:

Reality is the Metaphysical abstract structure that not only encompasses but also supports the constant extensions P, M, and N. There is a causal link between all properties and a functional requirement of each property to make that which is universally true.

Reality is categorically reducible in that all possibility, Natural Law, and Manifestations are extensions thereof and partake in the order of all things; all other aspects are products of these three extensions and would be considered universals. To expand and clarify, possibility is an extension of reality that maintains universals such as abstracts, essence, and attributes. All products of possibility consist singularly as a possible attribute or relation to a particular manifested later. Possibility is a constant in that it is consistently possible without ceasing to be possible. Examples of universals originating from possibility include but are not limited to numbers, colors, and shapes. In the case of natural law we see universals as possible properties subject to the parameters of natural law. For example the law of bivalence, Supervenience, and causation create a set of requirements before a manifestation can obtain possible properties. Manifestations encompass all objects or beings that take on a quality, quantity, or type that can either naturally or with the help of artificial tools be perceived by mans senses. A universal can logically hold a place in multiple extensions, for example if in the future, if man was able to perceive through his senses universals before manifestation or natural law before application of universals we then have universals maintained in dual extensions.

The complexity of reducing reality is something in question. It is important to understand that there must be a reductive review of the constants that make reality reality in order to best determine the importance anything that exists. Let us move forward. Reality consists of Possibility, Natural Laws, and Manifestations, without all three extensions reality is not. Abstracts (Forms or Universals) exist as possibilities but progress through natural law and finally to manifestations allowing our perceptions to translate the results. Physical objects exist as manifestations determined by possibility and natural law. The perception of these objects and abstracts etc. are merely translations of a subjective mind relying on experience to determine that which is truly there, unfortunately experience is neither universal nor does it contain the universal understanding required in order to fully understand truth before perception. We will begin the establishment of a sound theory with the expectation that each extension of reality is logically sound and can truly support all that is. If reality is a constant we then must expect that the universal extensions are sound in nature and the purpose of these universals fit logically with all others

iPhone 4

For anyone that hasn’t read or heard about the recent iPhone news. Someone found a prototype of the fourth generation iPhone in a bar in Redwood City, California. You can read about the 4th gen iPhone being lost here in a article from gizmodo called “how apple lost the next iPhone.“  What new features does this prototype show off?

• Front-facing video chat camera
• Improved regular back-camera (the lens is quite noticeably larger than the iPhone 3GS)
• Camera flash
• Micro-SIM instead of standard SIM (like the iPad)
• Improved display.
• What looks to be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the top, next to the headphone jack
• Split buttons for volume
• Power, mute, and volume buttons are all metallic

And some video footage of the iPhone from all angles, enjoy.

After a few contacts, some video releases, and eager iPhone customers speculating a release date apple demands the iPhone be returned in a letter shown here in this article.

Julian Assange Interview on Recent Wikileaks Video

Wikileaks editor and co-founder Julian Assange gives an interview on the recent military video released where two Reuters reporters are killed in Baghdad.

If you haven’t seen the video yet, it’s here.

Phil Hare responds to YouTube gotcha video

Phil Hare (D – IL) was the latest celebrity on the growing trend of YouTube gotcha videos. Hare made the statement regarding his health care vote stating that he “doesn’t care what the Constitution says”. Here is the clip.

Hare then a day later upload this video response stating his comments were taken out context and that the constitution is “near and dear to him”. Hare states “he is sorry this had to happen”. The video response was posted on April 2nd and has had over 112,000 views. Enjoy

Eric Adams, a New York State Senators campaign against busting a sag

Senator Eric Adams is running a new form of campaign, hes asking citizens to stop the growing trend of a negative self imposed icon of saggy pants. Adams states that “this is not a fashion trend” and that the origin of this trend comes from a prison culture and should not be promoted by our youth.

Adams “Stop the Sag” video, which is part of a multimedia campaign that also includes billboards, has attracted more than 94,000 views on YouTube since it was posted last Friday.

“If we raise our pants, we raise our image”

Philosophy Conference Schedule Charlotte NC

From our earlier post regarding this weekends philosophy conference in Charlotte NC, we now have a schedule we would like to share.

8:00-9:00a.m.: Breakfast & Registration

9:00-10:10: Session 1
1. “The Concepts Argument Against Meta-Ethical Non-Cognitivism & Subjectivism,” John Park, Duke University
2. “Reference and Material Co-location,” Wei Yuan, Hope College

10:10-10:25: Break

10:25-12:10: Session 2
3. “Unifying the Autisms: A Broader Understanding of Natural Kinds,” Matthew Hudgens-Haney, Georgia State University
4. “Dual-Brain Consciousness,” Carl Venters, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
5. “Thompson’s Defense of Abortion: The Responsibility Objection and the Non-Existence Problem,” Tanner Sewell, Virginia Military Institute

12:15-1:30: Lunch

1:45-2:45 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Gordon Hull- “Precarious Ontologies”

2:45-3:00: Break

3:00-4:45: Session (3)
6. “Personal Acts of Revenge and State Executioners: Simone de Beauvoir’s Ethic of Revenge,” Troy Bordun, Brock University
7. “The Problem of Being Good to Someone,” Robert Shanklin, University of Southern California
8. “Refocusing the Refugee Regime: From Vagrancy to Value,” Hannah Levinson, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

4:45-5:00: Break

5:00-6:10: Session 4
9. “Nietzsche’s Birth of Tragedy and Punk Aesthetics,” Alan Barton, Hartwick College
10. “Overcoming the Natural: Re-Reading Sexuality through Race,” Alex Adkins, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

6:10-6:25: Break

6:25-7:35: Session 5
11. “Rereading the ‘Problem of Reflexivity’ in Being and Time in Light of Adorno’s Charge of ‘Ontologization’,” Adam Foley, John Carroll University
12. “A Synthesis of Identity and Consciousness: Humanity as the Organizational Context of an Inclusive Political Ideology,” Jason Graham, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

7:35: Dinner Reception

Registration starts at 8:00 am and costs 10.00 USD (the cost of three meals)