Can We Determine What Is True and Real: The Role of Personal Experience
The question of whether something can be truly 'real' without personal experience is a fundamental one, intertwining with ideas of subjective vs. objective reality. Some believe that certain phenomena, such as unexplained occurrences or extraterrestrial entities, must be personally experienced to be deemed real. Others accept the existence of such entities based on credible reports from others, despite never having encountered them themselves.
Personal Experience vs. Credible Reports
The notion that personal experience is the ultimate arbiter of truth is not without merit. Many individuals base their beliefs on firsthand encounters. For example, when asked about the existence of UFOs, some may dismiss it entirely due to a lack of personal sightings. However, credible reports from respected individuals might tip the scale towards belief, at least on a case-by-case basis.
Personal vs. Second-Hand Knowledge
On the other side of the spectrum, there are those who reject entire realms of knowledge unless they have personally verified it. This type of belief system, known as solipsism, asserts that the self is the only certainty in existence. Everything else, including the external world and other people's experiences, is mere illusion. This approach, while extreme, challenges the idea of accepting information at face value from others.
Experiencing Reality: A Firsthand Approach
The belief that one must experience something firsthand to know it as real is a common one, as evidenced by the anecdotal accounts of individuals who doubt places like Antarctica or North Korea unless they have visited. This skepticism can be seen as a healthy dose of critical thinking, but it can also limit personal growth and understanding of the world.
The Impact of a Self-Centered Attitude
Someone with such a self-centered and dismissive attitude might struggle to learn from and collaborate with others. Personal experience can be a valuable tool for understanding the world, but relying solely on it can lead to a narrow and potentially inaccurate view of reality. Doubting the validity of others' experiences undermines the collective knowledge and understanding that crucially shapes society.
Resolving the Dilemma
Ultimately, whether something can be considered real without personal experience depends on one's philosophical stance. From a subjective standpoint, reality is personal and is shaped by one's experiences. From an objective standpoint, accepting others' experiences can broaden one's understanding of the world. Combining both approaches—relying on personal experiences while acknowledging the validity of others' accounts—can lead to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of reality.
Double-Checking and Verification
While personal experience is valuable, it is not always accessible or practical. In such cases, disproving or verifying claims through research, analysis, and additional experiences can help verify the veracity of information. This process ensures that beliefs are based on a solid foundation of evidence and reasoning, rather than mere personal or anecdotal experiences alone.