11
votes
Accepted
What is the definition of real?
There is no one canonical and privileged definition of 'real'. However, in the most intuitive sense, it is anything that is independent of us and our existence and immediately apprehensible. This is ...
- 22.8k
5
votes
What is the definition of real?
Paraphrasing Wikipedia on quantum mechanics, an object is real if outcomes of measurements of the object are well-defined prior to – and independent of – the measurements.
Considering your examples, ...
- 633
3
votes
What is the definition of real?
"Cogito, ergo sum."
I think, therefore I am. The only thing we can readily depend upon being real is ourselves.
Of course, this is tremendously unlikely and raises a whole host of other ...
- 458
2
votes
Circularity in definition of Real
Some concepts are fundamental, in the sense that they cannot be explained in terms of anything simpler. For example, distance, time, mass and charge cannot be broken down into more fundamental ideas. ...
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1
vote
What is the definition of real?
"If a tree falls in a forest and no-one witnesses it, did it happen?"
Reality is that for which the answer is "yes".
Certainly a concept in philosophy exists for which the answer ...
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1
vote
Circularity in definition of Real
You say :
I'm having a hard time understanding the adjective 'real'.
Well, you should, because no-one knows.
For example, if you go to Wikipedia to find out what is "earth" you will end up ...
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1
vote
Accepted
Circularity in definition of Real
OP: How can we define Reality = {x: x ∈ Reality} and make it be informative?
Short answer: Actuality = {x: x ∈ Reality && x.exists}
Kant defines something as 'real' if it is possible, in ...
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1
vote
Circularity in definition of Real
... to say that y is a real boy, is to say that y is a boy, and y is in the collection of things that are real.
You might find it useful to reflect on Real Men Don't Eat Quiche, by Bruce Feirstein: ...
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1
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Circularity in definition of Real
The statement that the set of real things contains real things obviously does not define "real".
I agree with Descartes, the overarching set is our Experience (all the things in our current ...
- 107
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