By definition, reality is "the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them" or "the state or quality of having existence or substance." The tangible substantive things we see, feel, and interact with all fall in this category. But we also know that there is a reality beyond which we personally have experienced - things that we accept as real, based on a framework of knowledge and observations conveyed by trusted authorities. It is a part of human cognitive development, what Jean Piaget called "object permanence" - the stage at which a child starts to understand that objects continue to exist even when outside of their particular point of view and temporal experience.
|
Archives |