Is reality subjective or objective? (religion, Buddhism, life, self)

[northstar22]

I've heard several theists and spiritualists say, whether directly or indirectly, that truth/reality is subjective -- it depends on what one feels inside, one's own life experience, and one's own personal thoughts and feelings, rather than any objective standard existing apart from and independent of oneself. Many philosophies, such as relativism, postmodernism and some schools of existentialism, subscribe to this view, as do many pagan and neo-pagan religions, some forms of Hinduism and Buddhism, and some liberal strains of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

In contrast, atheists and agnostics tend to see reality as objective -- it exists regardless of our own thoughts, feelings, intuitions, or experiences. Science is based upon the notions of objective reality and methodological naturalism, as is the philosophy of physicalism, which states that only physical things exist. It can also be argued that some fundamentalist or literalist forms of the Abrahamic religions also tend to see reality as objective, although they obviously disagree with physicalism and mainstream scientific thought.

Is reality subjective or objective? Is truth objective or contingent upon one's own thoughts and feelings? What do you think (and why)?

[MysticPhD]

Originally Posted by northstar22

I've heard several theists and spiritualists say, whether directly or indirectly, that truth/reality is subjective -- it depends on what one feels inside, one's own life experience, and one's own personal thoughts and feelings, rather than any objective standard existing apart from and independent of oneself. Many philosophies, such as relativism, postmodernism and some schools of existentialism, subscribe to this view, as do many pagan and neo-pagan religions, some forms of Hinduism and Buddhism, and some liberal strains of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

In contrast, atheists and agnostics tend to see reality as objective -- it exists regardless of our own thoughts, feelings, intuitions, or experiences. Science is based upon the notions of objective reality and methodological naturalism, as is the philosophy of physicalism, which states that only physical things exist. It can also be argued that some fundamentalist or literalist forms of the Abrahamic religions also tend to see reality as objective, although they obviously disagree with physicalism and mainstream scientific thought.

Is reality subjective or objective? Is truth objective or contingent upon one's own thoughts and feelings? What do you think (and why)?

False dichotomy. It is inescapably both. Reality only exists for anyone based on their subjective experience of it. It is sort of like asking whether a baby is the result of the egg or the sperm.

[DentalFloss]

I think you've both seen this before, but it seems science is showing us that our reality is indeed not objective, in fact, it appears physicality itself is an illusion. Rather than rewriting my long winded explanation again, I'll simply show you where you can already read it: https://www.city-data.com/forum/relig...beliefs-6.html

[Mircea]

Originally Posted by northstar22

I've heard several theists and spiritualists say, whether directly or indirectly, that truth/reality is subjective -- it depends on what one feels inside, one's own life experience, and one's own personal thoughts and feelings, rather than any objective standard existing apart from and independent of oneself.

That isn't the case. Reality is objective, however the meaning you attach to it is subjective.

Remember, objectivity is not dependent on anything, while subjectivity is totally dependent on the knower.

The chair I'm sitting on exists whether you exist or not. However, the color of the chair, well, that is totally dependent on how you see it, and you might see it as bluish-green, while someone else sees it as greenish-blue and still someone else as grayish-blue.

Now, the electromagnetic radiation coming off of the chair is, I don't know, let's say 10^14.6 Hertz (in the ball-park) so that reality is objective because that electromagnetic radiation exists whether you exist or not, but how you see it and interpret mentally is subjective.

Originally Posted by northstar22

In contrast, atheists and agnostics tend to see reality as objective -- it exists regardless of our own thoughts, feelings, intuitions, or experiences.

Yes, just gave an example.

[SuperSoul]

Originally Posted by northstar22

Is reality subjective or objective? Is truth objective or contingent upon one's own thoughts and feelings? What do you think (and why)?

As mentioned, both.
Yet, I doubt many know the true objective reality, considering we don't even know where we are in relation to the universe & beyond, besides many other unknowns.

How do you define reality?
Is reality perspective, existence, experience, influence?
Are thoughts real?
Are feelings real?

A guy rolled down a cliff because he got scared of a snake that he thought was poisonous (but it wasn't). His thought was not based on objective reality, yet it produced a feeling & had a real influence - both in feeling/hormone adrenaline rush & him rolling down the cliff. So, was his thought real?

[granpa]

Originally Posted by northstar22

I've heard several theists and spiritualists say, whether directly or indirectly, that truth/reality is subjective -- it depends on what one feels inside, one's own life experience, and one's own personal thoughts and feelings, rather than any objective standard existing apart from and independent of oneself.

Even noahides believe in an objective right and wrong.
Theists should be a step above that.

Christ is the logos of God (i.e. Infinite reason. And reason basically amounts to objectivity)

that being said it should be pointed out that
while a given action for a given person under a given circumstance is indeed objectively either right or wrong
it does, however, depend on that persons internal mental state.
But that internal mental state is itself an objective fact.

the opposite of objective is subjective.
the following image is subjecive.
whether it is a witch or a beautiful woman depends on how you look at it.


your internal mental state cannot be changed just by looking at it a different way.
(It can be changed by other means though, just as your external circumstances can be physically changed)

[tgnostic]

Reality check! You're just trying to make me feel guilty when the cops moved in on the demonstrators.

[granpa]

to whom are you speaking?

[tgnostic]

Doesn't matter. A dead philosopher.

[Nighteyes]

Originally Posted by MysticPhD

False dichotomy. It is inescapably both. Reality only exists for anyone based on their subjective experience of it. It is sort of like asking whether a baby is the result of the egg or the sperm.

Here we go again -- in emphatic agreement!

Reality is objective, but it may only be experienced through subjective means. Said subjective means are amenable to the influence of information and the words of others.