Why there's no such thing as objective reality | Greg Anderson

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker challenges our perception of reality, arguing that humans have always lived in a 'pluriverse' of different worlds, not just one universal reality. Drawing from the ancient Greek world and other premodern societies, the speaker highlights how these cultures embraced gods, spirits, and interconnectedness with nature, contrasting them with the modern individualistic, materialistic worldview. The talk urges modern Westerners to reconsider their assumption that their version of reality is the only true one and encourages learning from indigenous and premodern societies to find sustainable ways of living.

Takeaways

• 😀 The modern Western worldview assumes a singular, objective reality, but many cultures in history have experienced different realities, forming a pluriverse.
• 😀 Reality, for modern Westerners, is viewed as a material world governed by science and nature, where only things we can see or touch are considered real.
• 😀 In contrast, ancient cultures, such as the Athenians, lived in a world where gods, spirits, and supernatural forces were fundamental and considered real.
• 😀 For the Athenians, gods were central to their reality and controlled essential aspects of life, such as weather, health, and success.
• 😀 In ancient Athens, the land was considered a living goddess, nurturing and protecting its people, emphasizing a deep connection with nature.
• 😀 The Athenian worldview saw humans not as individuals but as integral parts of a larger social body, or 'demos,' where serving the community was paramount.
• 😀 Many premodern cultures (e.g., Egyptians, Chinese, indigenous peoples) shared a similar worldview where gods and nonhuman beings were deeply intertwined with human life.
• 😀 The modern Western reality, dominated by individualism and materialism, is unique in history and is not a universally applicable model of existence.
• 😀 The belief that modern Western reality is the 'true' reality is rooted in historical arrogance, dismissing the value of other cultural models.
• 😀 Modern science, which seeks to define objective reality, has questioned the very notion of objective reality, acknowledging that reality is shaped by human minds interacting with their environment.
• 😀 Indigenous and premodern ways of life offer valuable lessons in sustainability, community, and interconnectedness with nature, highlighting alternative, more harmonious ways of living.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by a 'pluriverse' of many worlds?

The speaker suggests that humans have always lived in multiple, distinct worlds, each shaped by different cultural models and beliefs. These worlds are not just one universal reality but a variety of real worlds experienced by different peoples throughout history.

How does the speaker describe our modern conception of reality?

The speaker describes our modern reality as a fixed, material world governed by scientific laws, where only visible, material things are considered real, and humans are viewed as individual beings who compete for resources.

What is the difference between the Athenians' view of the world and our own?

The Athenians' real world was populated by gods, spirits, and magical forces, which were seen as essential to their daily lives. In contrast, our world emphasizes materialism, individualism, and a purely human-centered perspective.

What role did gods play in the Athenian view of reality?

Gods were central to the Athenian world. They controlled essential life forces such as weather, health, and fertility, and were intimately involved in the lives of the Athenians, attending festivals, sacrifices, and everyday events.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'cosmic ecology' in relation to Athens?

The 'cosmic ecology' refers to the interconnected relationship between the gods, the earth (as a goddess), and the people of Athens. This symbiotic relationship was foundational to their existence, where humans, gods, and nature worked together in harmony.

Why does the speaker claim that modern Westerners are overly confident in their understanding of reality?

The speaker argues that modern Westerners believe their materialistic, individualistic reality is the only true one, often dismissing the real worlds of other civilizations as 'primitive' or 'wrong,' ignoring the successes and sustainability of those models.

What historical developments contributed to the creation of our modern world view?

The modern worldview was shaped by the scientific revolution, the Enlightenment, and the rise of capitalism in early modern Europe. These shifts led to an emphasis on materialism, individualism, and competition as the basis for societal life.

How does the speaker critique modern science's view of reality?

The speaker suggests that modern science’s portrayal of an objective reality is overly simplistic and fails to account for the active role humans play in constructing and interpreting their own experiences of reality. Experts across various fields have questioned the idea of an objective reality.

What lesson does the speaker believe we can learn from premodern societies?

Premodern societies, with their interconnected and holistic views of the world, offer valuable insights into living more sustainable and community-focused lives. These models challenge the modern individualistic and exploitative approach to existence.

What is the speaker's call to action at the end of the transcript?

The speaker calls for modern Westerners to adopt a more humble and open-minded approach, learn from the sustainable practices of Indigenous peoples, and begin to imagine and create alternative ways of being human in different possible worlds.