A book called The Martian Chronicles has such ideas that are so preposterous yet fantastic that they made me question my very existence. This book has a writing style that is unique from others, where it gives the reader a collection of stories/events over a course of around 30 years, containing some of the same characters lot of characters and the same overall setting: mars. Anyways, a specific event that made me question my own existence, happened when mars has been partially inhabited by humans and the martians have all died off. A man driving a truck towards a city see's a strange vehicle and steps out. A martian comes out of the vehicle sharing the same feelings. The martian is confused as to why that human is there and the man is confused as to why the martian is alive. They converse, and after a while they go in to shake hands. That is where it becomes strange.
Their hands go right through each others and they are bewildered. The martian takes a knife from his pocket and tosses it to the man. The man tries to catch it, but it goes right through him. The martian and the man then simultaneously accuses the other of not being real. They both are so convinced that each other is right, giving examples of how their objects exist when the other sees those objects differently. It is not possible for them both to exist (physically) so they decide that one of them is right (that being themselves of course), and quickly leave the other to go somewhere else.
This makes me think if I really exist or if everything is just an illusion. My mind being a recording of what has happened, and the world as a late relay from the previous past. I could merely be an illusion that is invisible to all who are not part of it (for it is only an illusion to ourselves) and where I am, the future could be taking place. It would be understandable that the two characters in the event dismiss the idea and the other being that it is just to emotional and confusing to think about.
Think about it. If someone living another life came to you and what happened in the event happened to you, what would you do? How would you feel. You can't really prove you exist because the other creature could use the same reasons against you, for you are both in the exact same position. It would be frustrating, now wouldn't it? Here, right now try to prove you exist to this creature. Is it because you see things, feel things (being mental or physical), hear things, or it wouldn't make sense for you not to exist? Well this creature can use all of the same examples as evidence. This book brought up these feelings of uncertainty that I now harbor. I would suggest this book to anyone who knows they can handle it.
Their hands go right through each others and they are bewildered. The martian takes a knife from his pocket and tosses it to the man. The man tries to catch it, but it goes right through him. The martian and the man then simultaneously accuses the other of not being real. They both are so convinced that each other is right, giving examples of how their objects exist when the other sees those objects differently. It is not possible for them both to exist (physically) so they decide that one of them is right (that being themselves of course), and quickly leave the other to go somewhere else.
This makes me think if I really exist or if everything is just an illusion. My mind being a recording of what has happened, and the world as a late relay from the previous past. I could merely be an illusion that is invisible to all who are not part of it (for it is only an illusion to ourselves) and where I am, the future could be taking place. It would be understandable that the two characters in the event dismiss the idea and the other being that it is just to emotional and confusing to think about.
Think about it. If someone living another life came to you and what happened in the event happened to you, what would you do? How would you feel. You can't really prove you exist because the other creature could use the same reasons against you, for you are both in the exact same position. It would be frustrating, now wouldn't it? Here, right now try to prove you exist to this creature. Is it because you see things, feel things (being mental or physical), hear things, or it wouldn't make sense for you not to exist? Well this creature can use all of the same examples as evidence. This book brought up these feelings of uncertainty that I now harbor. I would suggest this book to anyone who knows they can handle it.
Your conclusion to this response was very well said and stated. This was a really good response and it made me think a lot. I liked how you connected. The third paragraph in this response was beautifully written. Great job.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good response, your idea was clear and had a deep meaning. You gave examples from your book that fit with your idea. I'd give this a 4.5/5.
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