Consensus Reality

[Oneironaut Zero]

Consensus reality is an approach to answering the question "What is real?", a philosophical question, with answers dating back millennia; it is almost invariably used to refer to human consensus reality, though there have been mentions of feline and canine consensus reality.[1] It gives a practical answer - reality is either what exists, or what we can agree by consensus seems to exist; the process has been (perhaps loosely and a bit imprecisely) characterised as "[w]hen enough people think something is true, it... takes on a life of its own." The term is usually used disparagingly as by implication it may mean little more than "what a group or culture chooses to believe," and may bear little or no relationship to any "true reality", and, indeed, challenges the notion of "true reality". For example, Steven Yates has characterised the idea that the United States Federal Reserve Notes (not "backed" by anything) are "really worth a dollar" as "part of what we might call our consensus-reality, [not] real reality."[2] The difficulty with the question stems from the concern that human beings do not in fact fully understand or agree upon the nature of knowledge or knowing, and therefore (it is often argued) it is not possible to be certain beyond doubt what is real.[3][4] Accordingly, this line of logic concludes, we cannot in fact be sure beyond doubt about the nature of reality. We can, however, seek to obtain some form of consensus, with others, of what is real. We can use this to practically guide us, either on the assumption it seems to approximate some kind of valid reality, or simply because it is more "practical" than perceived alternatives. Consensus reality therefore refers to the agreed-upon concepts of reality which people in the world, or a culture or group, believe are real (or treat as real), usually based upon their common experiences as they believe them to be; anyone who does not agree with these is sometimes stated to be "in effect... living in a different world."[5] Throughout history this has also raised a social question: What shall we make of those who do not agree with consensus realities of others, or of the society they live in? Children have sometimes been described or viewed as "inexperience[d] with consensus reality,"[6] although with the expectation that they will come into line with it as they mature. However, the answer is more diverse as regards such people as have been characterised as eccentrics, mentally ill, enlightened or divinely inspired [disambiguation needed], or evil or demonic in nature. Alternatively, differing viewpoints may simply be put to some kind of "objective" (though the nature of "objectivity" goes to the heart of the relevant questions) test. Cognitive liberty is the freedom to be the individual's own director of the individual’s own consciousness and is fundamentally opposed to enforcement of the culturally accepted reality upon non-conforming individuals. Effects of low cognitive liberty vary from indifference to forced-medication and from social-alienation to incarceration to death. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_reality So, it's not necessarily a new concept, but yesterday was the first time I've heard the term "Consensus Reality." It know it's something that has been argued (or at least vaguely referenced) in a number of threads, but reading about it has allowed me to understand some of my own thoughts on the issue, a bit better. I'd just like to get other people's opinions on the notion, as it pertains to how much or little we - as humans - do (or can) know about any "actual reality." Do you believe the universe actually is the way you've been convinced that it is? Do you think science allows us to fully understand the true nature of a thing, or simply obtain a sort of limited perspective of it? How do people analyze the same subjects/topics/events, and come away with so many different conclusions - such a different handle on "reality?" What do you think of those 'crazy/eccentric/insane' people that don't agree with your consensus reality? Are they at fault, or are you just misguided? I don't know, just random questions. Answer them if you can (assuming they make any sense), or ask your own. I've just always found discussions on the topic interesting.