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A CHILD'S METAPHYSICS Funny thing about children. They see, smell, touch the world around them and never question its "reality". Nor are they likely to question the accuracy of their senses. Nor of their ability to accurately recall the experience. It takes an more mature mind to raise these questions. Philosophers have woven theories around the notion that there really is no Universe "out there"—that it is either a figment of someone's imagination (ours or someone else’s). Adults have invented stories based on compelling illusions, or the consequences of imperfect perceptions or memories. Then they begin to question Reality. My viewpoint is similar to the child's philosophy: there is an entire Universe out there, and you are in it too, experiencing it in the same way (but not identically). However, I temper that outlook with the adult realization that our senses and our minds are fallible. While the Universe really is out there, our perceptions and memories of it must inevitably be unreliable. Unfortunately, Evolution has not yet brought us to that stage where our senses and minds can guarantee a perfect understanding of the Universe. Copyright 2003 by John A. Eyon |
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