Reality Definition and 435 Threads

Reality is the sum or aggregate of all that is real or existent within a system, as opposed to that which is only imaginary. The term is also used to refer to the ontological status of things, indicating their existence. In physical terms, reality is the totality of a system, known and unknown. Philosophical questions about the nature of reality or existence or being are considered under the rubric of ontology, which is a major branch of metaphysics in the Western philosophical tradition. Ontological questions also feature in diverse branches of philosophy, including the philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, philosophy of mathematics, and philosophical logic. These include questions about whether only physical objects are real (i.e., Physicalism), whether reality is fundamentally immaterial (e.g., Idealism), whether hypothetical unobservable entities posited by scientific theories exist, whether God exists, whether numbers and other abstract objects exist, and whether possible worlds exist.

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  1. K

    Did Lord Kelvin Say "If You Can't Measure It, It Isn't Real!"?

    The other day, in conversation, I attributed the dictum, "If you can't measure it, it isn't real!" to Lord Kelvin. However, when I chanced to look it up in Wiki, I could find no confirmation of this attribution. Was I mistaken? Did Lord Kelvin ever say anything to this effect? If not, is...
  2. Q

    B Does Observation Create Reality in Quantum Physics?

    According to quantum physics, things don't exist until being observed/measured. If this is the case why can we predict the same reality being generated? For example, if the moon doesn't exist when it is not looked at, then why does the moon keep appearing when we do look at it. Is "reality"...
  3. Rectifier

    Bode plot for first order high pass (RL) - reality vs theory

    Hey there! So I have this circuit: with R= 1kOhm and L=10mH and for some reason the theoretical and real values differ drasticly for lower frequencies Brown lines are representing the asymptotic and approximation lines. Blue lines are connecting my measured values. Amplitude is the amplitude...
  4. M

    Can We Measure the Probability of Order in the Universe?

    If the infinite monkey theorem provides proofs for the probability of order's emergence from chaos, is there a way to measure the probability of order in our universe i.e. matter/anti-matter, snowflakes, DNA? I just wonder because if there was, you could compare the two values and see if we...
  5. NATURE.M

    Aspiring Hackers Given False Reality

    So basically, I'm sure many of you have watched the new tv show Mr. Robot. I'll be the first to say that the show is incredible and quite possibly one of my favourites ever. And if you haven't watched it you should. But that's besides the point. It seems the show has inspired many non-tech...
  6. Bunduru

    Is Consciousness Linked to Quantum Superposition and Entanglement?

    Someone I know sent me something for validation. Is this train of thought headed in the right direction? Please forgive him for the informal language used; he doesn't have a physics background...Thanks! "Superposition simply implies that conscious beings always have choices, and that...
  7. T

    Perception of public and reality in science

    I was watching a Twilight zone episode yesterday . A spacecraft had crashed at a 'remote far corner of the Universe'...550 million miles from Earth (not even the distance to Saturn). Today I was reading a comment that complained about a local bottling company selling bottled water and using...
  8. wolram

    How do we know black holes exist beyond the theory of relativity?

    AFAIK black holes are factual, but i can not find physical proof of the singularity, apart from Einstein's theory of general relativity, which showed that when a massive star dies, it leaves behind a small, dense remnant core. If the core's mass is more than about three times the mass of the...
  9. Rajkovic

    Quantum Reality: Evidence for Everything Happening Simultaneously

    Does something in QM suggests that "everything is happening, here/now at once? Is there any evidence to prove it? (quantum reality) I saw a video about it on the internet, I will not post the source, because I think it is pseudoscience, but he confirmed that QM proves it..lol Please, I don't...
  10. Sharadindu

    Schools Get Into Elite Colleges: Preparing for MIT with 3 Years Left

    Hi! I'm an Indian student from the CBSE curriculum in 10th standad (started a month ago). I want to do under-graduation in Astronomy / Computer Sciences / Robotics / Mechanical Engineering (still not decided yet. But it'd be much better if I can able to study all of them together :p) in any of...
  11. Noctisdark

    Observing Objects Near Light Speed: Time Dilation or Reality?

    Hello PF, A question on special relativity I've not found an answer to,I tried to google it but no luck, so here is it : If you were to observe a moving body whose speed is very near to the speed of light, will you see it slowly due to time dilation, or you'll observe it as it really is, very...
  12. Rajkovic

    Consciousness The Ultimate Reality

    Why does some physicists say that consciousness is the "Ultimate reality"? which experiment affirm it? Some like 'Tom Campbell' uses Data Eraser Experiment as proof, and quotes from "Max Planck, Bohr, Heisenberg, etc.. as references SOURCE: Is it true? What is "consciousness", anyway?
  13. P

    Ethanol gasoline blends - reality vs science

    Hello everyone, (Hope this is the right place to post this) I am wondering, and have for a while, if there is any "real" answers, as to why some people report much lower fuel economy running ethanol mixed gasoline fuel. Math says, that ethanol fuel is lower in BTU's than gasoline, so taking...
  14. Y

    Maths needed for Road To Reality

    I am reading the book Road to Reality by Roger Penrose. However he goes over the maths so fast I don't understand it all, I am studying maths and Further maths and getting over 90% almost all the time so maths normally comes quite easily. What maths topics do I have to know - the contents...
  15. T

    Mechanical Engineering thoughts in college vs. reality?

    Hi everyone, I'm a sophomore in college and we have a project discussing mechanical engineering. I'd like to know what you thought your career would be like before you graduated and now that you're in your career what is the reality. Addition questions: How long after college did you wait for...
  16. Quarlep

    The reality of Relative Velocities in Special Relativity

    Lets suppose we have a observer O and two objects A and B a speed is 0.5c and B speed is 0.3c than we can calculate other relative speed acoording to these informations.We know that (according this info B sees A going to 4/17c but we can pretty sure that's true because we can't ask. him How...
  17. P

    Question of Force - why it differs in reality?

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution could you give me the reason for part i. Can't figure the reason for the second part. it says ans is 1080N to left. shouldn't it be 900N. and why is it to the left?
  18. N

    Psi Epistemicism & the Reality of Particles & Atoms

    For those of you who have read the theorem, probably have also read Matt Leifer's review of it. In his review he says that the only way to remain psi epistemic is to be an anti realist(copenhagen), or to abandon the bell frame work. Is it viable to be psi epistemic but still believe that...
  19. Marceli

    Exploring Kaluza-Klein Theory in the 5th Dimension Reality

    I am still learning of Kaluza-Klein theory. Is KK theory applying to quantum mechanics? How quantum non-locality can be represented by KK theory?
  20. forkosh

    Is the wavefunction/quantum_state in electron interference experiments real?

    Several recent arxiv articles like http://arxiv.org/abs/1409.6290/ reviewing the pbr theorem http://arxiv.org/abs/1111.3328/ got me thinking about this again with respect to straightforward two-slit interference, which I'd thought simply and unambiguously resolved the issue in favor of "it's...
  21. L

    Simulate a reality by exploiting geometric solutions

    It will essentially be The Matrix. Except every one who plays will be God's and they get to build the world up from atomic structure. The main mechanism of action is people finding stable formations can publish them. You get to name an object and it becomes available as a clip board item to...
  22. S

    Is electric current only a flow of charge?

    A magnetized object is always described as having bound volume and surface current. Are these bound currents real? I mean if I connect a galvanometer between two points on the surface of a magnetized iron sphere, will the galvanometer show a deflection? If it does then it is very strange because...
  23. bohm2

    Reality of the Quantum State: A Stronger Ψ-ontology Theorem

    Another theorem ruling out ψ-epistemic models: http://arxiv.org/pdf/1412.0669.pdf
  24. Warpspeed13

    What is reality according to quantum mechanics?

    What does quantum mechanics say about the nature of reality? I have a friend who's been babbling about how he thinks given the right circumstances (meditation, LSD, the hokey poky, take your pick) you could create "personal reality" and I don't know enough about it to say precisely why he's wrong.
  25. aditya ver.2.0

    Uncovering the Reality of Space-Time: Separating Fact from Fiction

    Is Space time having a actual reality or is it just a mathematical concept to calculate the coordinates of a point in space?
  26. T

    My dream is too distant from the reality, I don't know what to do.

    I want to become a mechanical engineer. Im not good at any sciences or mathematical subjects. I got E in physics and maths AS level (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-level), D in computing, B in philosophy. The humanity is the only subject I am good at but even thought I enjoy listening...
  27. B

    Quantum physics doesen't say that our thoughts manifest in reality

    I just wanted a conformation of this sorry but I have bad ocd. If I could have some sci advisors help with this id really appreciate it.
  28. Demystifier

    Quantum state: Reality or mere probability?

    There is an old controversy in quantum mechanics, with arguments on the borderline between science and philosophy, on the question whether the quantum state describes an objective reality associated with a single system, or mere probability describing properties of a large ensemble of equally...
  29. C

    Atomic Vibrations & Time Dilation: The Reality Behind Our Perception

    We measure time based off of atomic vibrations, so time dilation from gravity and velocity are nothing more than pressure applied to the atoms, slowing their vibrations. This isn't an accurate measure of what we consider time, but more of a measure of the reaction of atomic vibrations under...
  30. S

    Can a charged particle be in uniform motion in reality?

    If a charged particle is at rest, external magnetic field cannot move it. If an external electric field is applied, the particle will get accelerated. Now the external magnetic field will exert a force on the particle perpendicular to its motion. This will change the direction of motion of the...
  31. Q

    Heisenberg Uncertainty due to interaction of the inherent reality?

    Coming from a Chemistry background, the Uncertainty Principle always seemed to be described as an inability of precision due to strictly physical and real reasons (i.e. you have to interact with an object to measure something about it, and this certainly will alter the object). It seems as if...
  32. E

    Exploring Reality: Does Block Universe Mean Time & Motion Are Illusions?

    Does block universe mean that time and motion are illusions?
  33. J

    Superconductors and Space: Can Electricity Bend Reality?

    Hi! I was wondering that if you could put enough electricity into a superconducting coil if it would be powerful enough to bend space?
  34. P

    How much energy is consumed in reality in steam compression?

    I want to know how much energy REAL steam compressors consume in compressing steam @ 1 kg/sec from 2.56 kPa to 1 bar. Theoretically (with `100% efficiency) it's 141 kW for making 1 kg/sec steam flow assuming that the temperature doesn't decrease due to loss of heat as latent heat of...
  35. us40

    Arrow of time and virtual reality

    As we know that in classical world we have a clear arrow of time which points towards future..We can see glass falling from table and break but not the opposite in our world and whole universe... If we watch a film of glass being broken and that film is run in both direction we can easily...
  36. DHF

    Surviving the Aquarium: A Reality Check on Action Scenes

    Hey guys, my wife and I are writing a short story and I wanted to perform a reality check on the following scene and see what changes might be needed to make it possible. In the scene we have written the main character has enhanced speed and strength and she gets attacked in her home, during...
  37. maverick_starstrider

    Can I Get A Reality Check (Accepting a Postdoc Or Not)

    Hi all, I apologize in advance for a bit of a lengthy preface on my question. I'm a PhD student in computational condensed matter (with a specialization in parallel and high-performance computing) who's just finishing off my degree. I don't want to continue in condensed matter...
  38. M

    Dot Product of a Vector and its Derivative- Reality

    Hey everyone, This has been bugging me for a bit. I think I'm probably missing something pretty easy. A dot B= ABcos(θ), where θ is the angle between A and B. There is the little shortcut that says where B is the derivative of A, A dot B= AB. Clearly then cos(θ) = 1, and the angle between a...
  39. Quarlep

    Does Measurement Affect Reality? Examining the Concept in Physics

    In universe we afffect everthing.Observers (us) measures something and we changed something.Example If we want to measure a electron's momentum than we can't measure its location Physics says this is real so it means it is not an experimental mistake.How they know it.How can physics says that...
  40. M

    Is there an absolute reality in the universe, independent of observation?

    Is there an absolute sequence of events in the universe- independent of observation? It seems like so much emphasis is put on our delayed observations rather than what is actually happining in Reality. As I read through the forums, it almost seems as if people do not believe that there is an...
  41. W

    Reality Scorecard for Physics Theories

    After reading Lee Smolin's Time Reborn and Rodney Brook's Fields of Color, a question occurred to me. Has anyone compiled a "reality" scorecard for the differing theories out there, both current and historical? For example, QFT proponents would consider the following things as real: fields...
  42. RUTA

    Is Farewell to Reality a Valid Critique of Modern Physics?

    Just finished Jim Baggott's book, "Farewell to Realilty: How Modern Physics has Betrayed the Search for Scientific Truth." Anyone here read the book and care to respond?
  43. A

    Brian Greene on The Hidden Reality

    Hello, I have been an avid reader of Brian Greene and have been trying to get through The Hidden Reality. May I ask for anyone who has read it fully. Is it the case that he is postulating multiverse and the holographic principle as his most favoured interpretation and also does he believe...
  44. 1

    Location finding for augmented reality

    So after talking about it with some future partners. We are looking to do something in the future. not this year, probably not next, but maybe within the next ten. I have had this idea since 2008 and now the technology is almost there. i'm looking to either build or buy a location system...
  45. Q

    Theory or Reality - Acid/base trends on the periodic table

    Homework Statement Number 12. Ignore the scribbling and the circled answers. http://i.minus.com/i17OAHo9PELaW.jpg Homework Equations The periodic table trend of acid/base behavior says that oxides of elements on the right of the periodic table will behave as acids in water. It...
  46. M

    Before you die, what do you want to see become a reality

    Without being ridiculous and try to keep it within the boundaries of what could be possible, what would you like to see become a reality more than anything else? Some examples: Discovery of life elsewhere. Servant robots. Digitisation of the brain. A cure for cancer. Conclusive proof...
  47. J

    Is Time a Construct of Consciousness? Examining Entropy and the Reality of Time

    Apologies if this is in the wrong forum: I am reading Biocentrism by Robert Lanza, and one of his arguments is that time has no real existence outside of animal perception. He says is is the process by which we perceive changes in the universe. The books argument is that everything is a...
  48. X

    If we had enough axioms about reality could mathematics replace physic

    Math is able to prove and disprove things while science can only disprove. The reason we can't prove much about the actual world is because unlike in mathematics we don't have enough starting axioms. If the math world isn't real and is just an object of the mind it would make sense that us...
  49. B

    NASA or GE Aviation: Which Job Offer Should I Choose?

    When I graduated college w/ honors in May with a BS MechE degree without a job offer I was upset and depress. I did co op with GE Aviation, research projects, got 3 minors, Dean's list... don't know what's wrong, been looking since start the of Fall. Then this week, I suddenly got offers from...
  50. Demystifier

    Do Bell and PBR together point toward nonlocal reality?

    The Bell theorem (and its variations) suggests that either locality or reality is wrong. The PBR (Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph) theorem (and its variations) suggests that quantum state is real (ontologic). So what do they tell us together? Do they suggest that eventually it is only locality which...
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