Depths of Understanding: Exploring what is Reality ?

 The Impact of Words

Gossip, like a thief, can steal a person's dignity and reputation, leaving a lasting mark. Once spoken, our words become a part of reality, their impact enduring and often challenging to restore. This underscores the importance of thoughtful speech, as once uttered, words cannot be taken back. Objective truth, existing independently of Personal Beliefs, Views, and Biases, Experiences in our memory, Indoctrination, etc, may serve as a universal standard of truth.

When we learn new things, we use our judgment to understand and make sense of the information. There are two types of judgments: synthetic and analytic.  Synthetic judgments involve combining different pieces of information to come to a new conclusion. There are two types of synthetic judgments: based on experience or observation and known without needing to experience it firsthand.  Kant, a famous philosopher, said that knowledge is like a collection of synthetic judgments known without needing to experience them firsthand. For example, we can know that 5 plus 7 equals 12 without counting. we learn about the world by using our senses first, then we organize and understand that information, and finally, we use our reasoning to make even more sense of it all.

“ All our knowledge begins with senses, proceeds to understanding and ends with reason ” -  Immanuel Kant [ not can't...he can ]

The Nature of Reality

Is it objective or shaped by perceptions? 

Substance in Philosophy: 

It refers to the underlying essence or reality that exists independently. Rationalist philosophers like Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz proposed the concept of substance to understand the fundamental nature of reality. 

Their meaning of Substance

 1. Descartes' Substance: -

 The concept of 'Thinking substance' and 'extended substance' in philosophy highlights the distinctness of mind and body. These are not just physical entities but distinct substances with their own Unique properties and functions, adding a layer of complexity to human existence.

 2. Spinoza's Substance: - 

- "God or Nature" as the singular, infinite substance. 

- Contains all material and immaterial aspects of reality. 

3. Leibniz's Monadology: - 

-Reality consists of irreducible substances called "monads." 

- Each monad reflects the entire universe from its own perspective. 

Rationality and Harmony

 - Achieving inner harmony leads to freedom to contemplate the world and pursue external goals. 

- Reason balances interests, preventing one from hindering the development of others.

 - Happiness is to be achieved through effort rather than being a bestowed gift. 

Jainism’s Theory of Reality

In Jainism, the Theory of Reality is outlined through Saptabhaňginaya, which offers seven viewpoints to analyze existence.

1. Vyavahāra: 

Deals with the practical and observed aspects of reality, focusing on everyday transactions and interactions in the material world. 

2. Naya: 

Refers to specific viewpoints or standpoints from which reality is perceived. Different Nayas provide different interpretations of the same reality based on specific contexts or angles of observation. 

3. Syādavāda: 

Recognizes the relativity & multiplicity of truth, acknowledging that truth can be perceived differently from different perspectives. 

4. Saptabhanginaya: Highlights the sevenfold nature of reality and emphasizes the need to consider multiple dimensions and facets of any given situation or entity. 

5. Aniyamsa: Refers to the principle of infinite regress, suggesting that reality is boundless and infinite, with no definitive beginning or end. 

6. Sabda: Emphasizes the role of language and communication in shaping our understanding of reality, recognizing the limitations of language in expressing the true nature of existence. 

7) The concept of 'Samabhirudha' highlights the interconnectedness and interdependence of all aspects of reality. It stresses the unity and harmony that exist within the diversity of existence, making us feel the profound interconnectedness of all things.

The concept of three levels of reality in Philosophy :

It refers to different perspectives through which existence can be understood. These levels are physical, psychological, and spiritual. 

Physical reality refers to the tangible and material aspects of the world that we can perceive through our physical senses. It includes everything in the physical universe that we can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. 

Psychological reality focuses on the inner world of thoughts, emotions, perceptions, beliefs, and consciousness. It includes our subjective experiences and inner processes that shape our understanding and interaction with the external world. 

Spiritual reality goes beyond the physical and psychological dimensions to explore deeper truths, universal principles, and transcendent experiences. It involves concepts of interconnectedness, higher consciousness, divine presence, and the fundamental nature of existence. 

Trikalabadhita:

It is a concept in Indian philosophy and is a testament to the idea of transcending time. It suggests that ultimate reality exists beyond the confines of past, present, and future, indicating a timeless or eternal nature of existence. This awe-inspiring concept can inspire us to look beyond the limitations of time and perceive the eternal nature of reality. 

Abheda

It means distinctionless and signifies a state of non-difference or unity. It represents an understanding or realization of oneness and interconnectedness between the different aspects of reality.