PERSPECTIVES
Posted by anthonynorth on February 22, 2008
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What’s on today: What is reality, and what does it depend on? Maybe ourselves … PLUS … To what extent can God exist. Strange goings on in UK courts at the moment.
YOU KNOW IT’S THE WRITE WAY
PERSPECTIVES
What does a perspective mean? In art it can mean the way you shape what you’re doing. Yet it can also mean a mental model of how you see the world. It would be interesting to see just how related these two definitions can become.
For instance, the world is said to be objective, meaning that what is out there IS out there. But if a mental perspective can be placed on what’s ‘out there’, how can anyone know what is really objective or not?
Our mental view of the world is subjective.
Yet it often becomes impossible to define just what is ‘subjective’ and what is ‘objective’. Indeed, going back to the ‘art’ definition, it is almost as if our perspective on reality helps the way we shape it. So maybe the ‘real’ world is very much a work of art in itself, and we, the artists.
Fans of ‘The Matrix’ will be loving this, so far. However, the philosopher, Kant, showed how there is a duality to the world of experience. He argued there was a ‘real’ world, but it was forever impinged upon by a kind of value filter in our mind. Hence, the world takes on a peculiarity all our own.
Quantum theory went on to muddy the water, too.
The math of a subatomic particle states that its existence is ‘probabilistic’ until it is observed. Only then does it take on a definite reality. And seeing the subatomic world is the foundation of the real world, then our view of it takes on an importance all its own.
And again, we find a link between the mental view of perspective, and the artistic. Of course, this is only philosophy, but it offers an interesting perspective to take with you through life.
So maybe you should remember this. When you go out into the world, you are your own artist. The world CAN be what you want it to be.
© Anthony North, February 2008
Two prompts on WI today – Second Chance
Did you see it?
Did I see what?
Did you see just what I’ve got?
Did you see it?
I think I did.
Was it in the skies amid?
Did you see it?
There’s nothing there.
Oh, you really make me despair.
Did you see it?
I think you’re mad.
That is so, so very sad.
Did you see it?
It doesn’t exist!
Not to you, but it’s on my list,
of things I wish just COULD exist.
Did YOU see it?
This is post inspired by a Writers’ Island prompt. Have you had a go yet?
HAVE YOU SEEN MY LATEST POSTS AND POEMS YET?
DAY OF ICONS
Yesterday was very much a day of icons in the news. In one court, Sir Macca and Heather Mills fail to agree on a divorce settlement, so the court will decide for them. In the other, Mohamed Al Fayed picks over the bones of Diana …
… read more …
NATURE OF GOD – THOUGHT
The problem with god is He causes far too many arguments. And the main bone of contention is whether God does, or does not, exist. Yet, to me, this is a shallow argument. All it does is place people on two sides of the paradigm … PLUS …
1. I thought of You and it came true,
there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for You.
…read more…
You can comment on any linked post below if you wish
samasti said
Very interesting indeed for a writer.
Samasti
anthonynorth said
Hi Samasti,
Many thanks for your comment. I’m glad to be of service.
Alex Cull said
Have you read any of biologist Rupert Sheldrake’s books? He argues that our minds may be creating the reality we experience, by way of what he calls “morphic fields” or “morphic resonance”. I’m also fascinated by Jung’s notion of synchronicity and have often experienced what seemed like uncanny coincidences at the time, but which might be something far stranger at work.
Rose Dewy Knickers said
I do so love a learned man. Tell me though, what is your perspective? For instance, how would my reality fit into the prevailing world view?
Rose
xo
anthonynorth said
Hi Alex,
Two of my heroes there. You’ll find them peppered all over my Mysteries posts. Infact, I think I’m using Sheldrake’s ideas on ‘being stared at’ on my Sunday post.
As for Jung, I wrote a short biog here:
http://beyondtheblog.wordpress.com/2007/07/15/carl-jung
anthonynorth said
Hi Rose,
Now that’s an awkward question. I don’t think anyone can ever truly know another’s reality or perspective. This is why there are so many clashes with people.
My answer would be to not try to understand, as such, but to tolerate, and accept a degree of moderation in all things. This smoothes out the contradictions and antagonisms.
How am I doing
And ‘naive fool’ isn’t the answer I want.
Rose Dewy Knickers said
Hmmmmmmmmmm.
Not ‘naive’ but perhaps duck and cover.
Perhaps a better question would be, do we attract people who are similar through our manipulation of quantum foam and thus re enforce our reality at the expense of personal growth?
Rose
xo
Twilight(Ann) said
I find it irritating if I’m told to “get some perspective”. As you said in the answer to a comment above, others can’t know the perspective from which I’m already viewing events.
“One man’s floor is another man’s ceiling” is a cliche I try to keep in mind, though it probably wasn’t coined with regard to perspective.
I think “assessing priorities” is a clearer way to express the straightforward (non-Sheldrake) use of perspective….but that’s just me nitpicking.
anthonynorth said
Hi Rose,
I think we certainly attract like-minded people, but this can be for two reasons – to find validation, or to enforce our sense of self-esteem.
Notice the two different psychologies here? The former is usually due to an acceptance of our insecurities, the latter is usually due to a refusal to accept our insecurities.
Can we truly have ‘personal’ growth without outside input?
I don’t know. I would say outside input is essential.
anthonynorth said
Hi Twilight,
I’m irritated, too, by people who are so sure of their perspective that all other’s are idiots if they disagree. You can find my own perspective, I suppose, on my About page, where I make it clear, I never, ever, speak truth – just put ideas out to be debated.
Jadey said
I love this post you are so very witty and creative.
anthonynorth said
Hi Jadey,
Many thanks for that. You’re far too kind.
UL said
I see it, I see it, I see it thrive and exist, dont you?
anthonynorth said
Hi UL,
Sometimes, when I blink, it’s there
Tumblewords said
Always a thoughtful post here – a pleasure to read! Thank you!
chicklegirl said
I think one of the keys to appreciating perspectives that diverge from our own is to relinquish the need to be right, just be where we are at, and allow others the same priviledge.
anthonynorth said
Hi Tumblewords,
Many thanks. You are always so kind about my work. Much appreciated.
Hi Chicklegirl,
Essentially, I agree with you. I never claim to speak the truth – simply place ideas to be debated. I don’t have a problem with people claiming to be ‘right’, as such, as long as this is tempered by an understanding of toleration for the views of others.
renkat said
Re: perspectives? Oh, I wish.
anthonynorth said
Hi Renkat,
Then your perspective has come true
Alex Cull said
Hi Anthony, just had a look at your Jung page, an excellent summary of the paranormal aspects of Jung’s life and ideas. Also I’m fascinated by the “you are your own artist” theme; maybe scary at first but ultimately that’s a very liberating idea, with huge implications.
anthonynorth said
Hi Alex,
Indeed. Infinite possibilities, with responsibility.
Good grief! I sound like an existentialist. But minus Sartre’s ‘nausea’.
That’s on the individual level. On the cultural/communal level, maybe alternative universes are in the mind, too