“If a tree falls and no one hears (or see) it, does that mean it doesn’t exist?” It’s a very typical question dating all the way back to the 1600-1700’s. It’s a very important question to reflect as well because in order for something to exist, it needs to be perceived. Otherwise, it would not have been noted in the logbook of the mind. Someone who is conscious must note that “something” happened.
That, perhaps, is humanly selfish because we, as humans, consider that we are the only creatures that bare conscience. It also suggests that there is no God / god with psyche to perceive “thing.” It suggests that Universe is not whole and self-sufficient / self-efficient. It suggests that there is no intelligent life-form outside the composite upright of our race. Or, perhaps, it simply suggests that no human, animal, God / god, Universe, or alien was in the forest that day. Well that can’t be because even the agnostic knows there’s a universe and universe is omnipresent, seeing as how the universe contains all things. Maybe the agnostic doesn’t give universe its capital designation “U,” acknowledging the conscience of universe. That makes sense. And that proves that all things are about perspective- according to the perceiver.
But then I consider (and I unfortunately cannot accept credit for this thought) that when I sleep in a room, alone, do I exist? Do I perceive myself whilst I sleep?
It is my responsibility to do so when I am in wake. But do I consciously give myself place in existence otherwise when I am stuck between cycles of awareness? I certainly recall many a time during sleep that I dreamt terrible things, all the while knowing that I can simply wake up and be safe. I knew I was sleeping and knew that the nightmare wasn’t only a dream. But outside of those instances, I haven’t a clue that “I am.” So if Descartes was correct, and if “I think there I am,” then I do not exist when I do not know I am sleeping. And the tree suffers the same, lonely fate as I when I rest.
How terribly depressing.
