Rust, dagnabbit, and esteemed philosophers have built their belief systems on the idea that existence is an absolute that can't be questioned or denied. I think it can be questioned, but I think first it has to be defined by those who believe in it. Can they come up with a definition they will defend? There's no use in discussing this stuff without a definition.

So I would be interested if a definition of existence can be arrived at. I think the definition will depend on other words that will also be questionable, and we will not arrive at the ultimate answer to anything.

Existence = The product of all thought in its entirety.

Seems vague. How would this definition be applied?

Existence; a visage of misconception fortified by perception?

Since there is me, and I am typing on Totse, im pretty sure something exists. Where else would girbils live?

Existence-

Being part, physically, spiritually and/or conciously of what we call Universe or Life.

The thing is no matter how well you define 'existence', you would still be able to question it just like every other 'man-made' word or concept. That's how meta-physics and philosophy work. But that does not mean it is wrong.

Try and refute existence, and you will find out that it is impossible. As you need to exist to even doubt existence.

Well...existence...its everything.

Oxygen,air,light,people,flesh,thoughts,ideas,inter net,electricity....

Well you know what i mean...

thats a good point. existance is not a proven fact...theres no way we can ever prove we're real.

I THINK THEREFORE......'I AM'

.....LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS .....THE LORD SAID .....I AM THAT ...'I AM'

JESUS SAYS BEFORE (*******) CAME ....... I AM.

MAYBE WE ARE ALL THAT SAME.....'I AM'

AND THAT IS EXISTANCE.

the rest is just a projection ....projected out from 'I AM'

THAT IS ALL THAT REALLY EXISTS ......'I AM'

[This message has been edited by eBlip (edited 08-10-2003).]

There are many definitions of existence:

"reality as opposed to appearance."

"reality as presented in experience."

"The totality of existent things."

"The state or fact of having being."

It goes on...

However does existence exist? Now that is truly mental masturbation at it's finest. Congradulations bkc, you've reached a new hieght of pretentiousness.

I digress.

Einstein did a lot of philosophizing on the subject of existence and by his definitions (which I agree with) is that all things are made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies. Thoughts, lamp shades, boogers, clouds, fire, etc... are all composed of energy vibrating at different frequencies.

All these frequencies, too, are existing within large energy waves which are "dimensions" or different states of existence, which can account for the concepts of Heaven, Hell, limbo, etc... in human society. A person may have an out of body experience where his existence lapses and he enters a different state of existence, a different energy wave, and whether their experience is good or bad or whatever they may describe it as Heaven or Hell or something entirely different.

Anyways, by that definition existence is whatever is being. Which could be anything, in any way.

It's a difficult concept to grasp, but I don't think it's beyond average thinking.

Cheers,

Lost