{"id":2776,"date":"2022-05-17T15:37:05","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T15:37:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/introtophilosophy\/chapter\/5-5-conclusions-getting-to-the-real-2\/"},"modified":"2024-01-15T17:07:33","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T17:07:33","slug":"5-5-conclusions-getting-to-the-real-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/introtophilosophy\/chapter\/5-5-conclusions-getting-to-the-real-2\/","title":{"raw":"5.6 Conclusions: Getting to The Real","rendered":"5.6 Conclusions: Getting to The Real"},"content":{"raw":"Whether we realize it or not, metaphysics dictates much about how we choose to live our lives. \u00a0Our understanding of what is real informs our understanding of what is important.\r\n\r\nFor example, if you were convinced that the materialists\/physicalists are correct, then you would likely not be too concerned about any religion promising to secure for you a positive afterlife and instead focus on finding the most happiness possible in this life. \u00a0If, on the other hand, you tend toward idealism, you might realize that the spiritual dimension of life is what matters most. \u00a0If you are a determinist, you might well have a different understanding of crime and punishment than would a libertarian. \u00a0You might better recognize that those who engage in wrongdoing have been conditioned to do so by past experiences. \u00a0On the other hand, if you lean toward libertarian freedom, you would likely be more inclined to lay blame on the free choice of the individual to commit a crime.\r\n

Perhaps the most deeply personal question of metaphysics is why you exist at all. \u00a0This is not \"how you came into being\" (I think most of us understand that!) but why you are here, now. \u00a0What is this thing called consciousness? \u00a0Why are you conscious? \u00a0Are all things in the universe conscious, or is consciousness the privilege of only a few? What is it \"like\" to experience the world as you experience it? \u00a0The sheer mystery of consciousness remains one of philosophy's most profound questions. \u00a0Perhaps tomorrow morning, when you wake you might pause a moment just to appreciate its gifts.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>","rendered":"

Whether we realize it or not, metaphysics dictates much about how we choose to live our lives. \u00a0Our understanding of what is real informs our understanding of what is important.<\/p>\n

For example, if you were convinced that the materialists\/physicalists are correct, then you would likely not be too concerned about any religion promising to secure for you a positive afterlife and instead focus on finding the most happiness possible in this life. \u00a0If, on the other hand, you tend toward idealism, you might realize that the spiritual dimension of life is what matters most. \u00a0If you are a determinist, you might well have a different understanding of crime and punishment than would a libertarian. \u00a0You might better recognize that those who engage in wrongdoing have been conditioned to do so by past experiences. \u00a0On the other hand, if you lean toward libertarian freedom, you would likely be more inclined to lay blame on the free choice of the individual to commit a crime.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most deeply personal question of metaphysics is why you exist at all. \u00a0This is not “how you came into being” (I think most of us understand that!) but why you are here, now. \u00a0What is this thing called consciousness? \u00a0Why are you conscious? \u00a0Are all things in the universe conscious, or is consciousness the privilege of only a few? What is it “like” to experience the world as you experience it? \u00a0The sheer mystery of consciousness remains one of philosophy’s most profound questions. \u00a0Perhaps tomorrow morning, when you wake you might pause a moment just to appreciate its gifts.<\/p>\n

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