Reality and Existence

Three Metaphysical Theories

by Mr. Porcoro

February 17, 2009

Instructions

• This interactive presentation is both informative and easy to operate.

• The small buttons in the lower left hand corner allow you to travel between slides.

• The main menu-home slide has three options. They are materialism, idealism, and dualism. Just click the link for the theory you would like to explore.

• The last slide for each theory has a button that allows you to travel back to the main menu-home slide.

Three Metaphysical Theories

Materialism Idealism Dualism

Idealism

Ideas are truest form of reality and existence. Physical bodies may exist, but ideas rule!

Berkeley's Tree

“To be is to be perceived”

“If a tree falls in forest and no one is present to hear it, does it make a sound?”

Plato and the Forms

Plato believed that all objects are made up of traits or characteristics called forms. Forms were universals that many objects could share.

- Example of the form tall: tall robot, tall tree, tall order, tall tale.

- Example of the form slow: slow talker, slow driver, slow child.

Plato believed forms lasted forever and and they were the truest things. The tall tree may die, but the concept of tall will live on forever.

Name the Forms

• Blind Monkey• Brown Monkey• Hairy Monkey• Shy Monkey• Old Monkey

Truer Existence? Santa vs. You

One day you’ll die! 300 years later…not many people will remember you! However, the idea of Santa has been around and will be around for much longer.

Dualism

Both physical bodies and thoughts- ideas-spirits exist . Most people are dualists!

Love Example

Love can be both physical and emotional

Scary Example

Zombies are bodies without a soul and ghosts are souls without a body!

The Religious Example

People have both a body and a soul.

Materialism

Only physical bodies exist. Ideas, thoughts, memories, feelings, and emotions are bi-products of the body.

The Greatest Machine

Materialists compare the human body to a very advanced machine.

They also believe the brain is similar to and performs much like a computer.

God is not Watching!

Most Materialists deny the existence of any god. They tend to promote ideas like the Big Bang Theory and evolution.

No Freewill

Many Materialists also deny the existence of free choice. They believe there is always an underlying cause to our choices.