source: https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/INTRO_TEXT/Chapter%204%20Metaphysics/CONTENTS.htm
Written Assignment for MODULE 4 Metaphysics and Epistemology
4A. Metaphysics
BEWARE: Read the note below before you do this assignment. Keep in mind that the meaning of reality in this assignment is “what is real” and the sum of all that is real and NOT a person’s view of or opinion about or perspective on what is real. This question and assignment deals with Reality1= the sum total of all that is real.
I. Reading Comprehension- from the readings-online and printed texts
A. There are several different theories concerning reality and what makes something real or what exists. Describe at least four of those theories or positions on this issue of the REAL. Provide some detail in your descriptions. DO NOT simply list them. Explain each one. Do not simply list them. Describe them and explain them. This will take more than one sentence for each one. Please indicate your familiarity with the readings in your answer -this means use some quotations to support your answers.
II. Critical Thinking-concerning the theory of reality and of multiple realities
B. For you which of the theories concerning reality makes the most sense and why? For you what makes something real? How can you determine if something actually exists or not, determine if it is real or not, according to your preferred theory of reality, your metaphysics? Please indicate your familiarity with the readings in your answer -this means use some quotations to support your answers.
C. What do you think of the theory that there can be simultaneous multiple realities? CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! First Read the note below very carefully and then Answer each of the 8 questions below. Please indicate your familiarity with the readings in your answer -this means use some quotations to support your answers.
What is the theory that there can be simultaneous multiple realities?
Does it make any sense?
What evidence supports it?
Do you believe that what one person believes may not agree with another person’s belief and so what may be thought to be real to one person may not be thought to be real to the second person?
Do you think that the situation is caused by there being two different realities?
Do you think that the two different realities can coexist? Explain your reasoning. Be sure to explain the following: Society A believes that the earth is really FLAT and Society B believes that the earth is really SPHERICAL. Do you accept that the earth is really BOTH AT THE SAME TIME that is that there is more than one reality simultaneously?
Do you think that each group and each person is entitled to their own reality? Explain what this might mean? Defend your position with reasons why you hold the position that you do? Explain how each person would be entitled to their own collection of all existing real entities.
What is to be done when there is a conflict between two groups who each claim different “realities”? How is the conflict to be resolved? Does the conflict’s resolution determine what reality is? Use cogent reasoning. Provide some indication of your familiarity with the readings.
Please make an effort to distinguish different perceptions of a single reality from totally different realities.
NOTE: Be sure you read the chapter and in particular the Overview to understand the meaning of “reality” as in this chapter and assignment. http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/SocialSciences/ppecorino/INTRO_TEXT/Chapter%204%20Metaphysics/OVERVIEW.htm
This meaning of reality in this assignment is “what is real” and the sum of all that is real and NOT a person’s view of what is real. This question and assignment deals with Reality1= the sum total of all that is real. By this is meant the total sum of all things that exist and are experienced no matter what or where they are. These would be real things meaning as opposed to imaginary or illusory.
This is not about meanings Reality 2 or Reality 3.
This question is asking if there can be more than one total reality-the sum of all that is real and NOT a person’s view of what is real..
It is not asking about whether or not people can have different experiences or views of the same reality.
