By Sadie York
Capturing the inner linings of human thought and belief, philosophy studies the fundamental questions regarding existence, knowledge, values, and the mind. With these studies follow much critical analysis, rational argument, and logical reasoning, as there are several philosophies with varying perceptions on life. A few philosophical theories which I personally find the most thought-provoking are as follows:
- Actualism
Actualism implies that everything seen or interpreted are exactly as they appear, with no hidden or underlying realities past what is experienced. Actualism encourages acceptance of the world at face value, for what it is, without any additional unseen layers of reality.
- Panpsychism
Panpsychism is the idea that everything in existence, from the most miniscule particles of matter to the biggest galaxies, possess a form of consciousness. Essentially, panpsychism argues that everything has a bit of “soul” within it. For example, this philosophy argues that an object such as a pencil retains some sort of basic awareness, even if identified as vastly different from human consciousness.
- Solipsism
Solipsism asserts the concept that only one’s mind is certain to exist. Thus, the sole thing one can truly confirm is their own mind, and its presence. There is no certainty of anything else—including other people. Through the lens of one mind, the external world may not even exist, or be as it seems.
- Eternalism
Eternalism suggests that all moments in time—past, present, and future—exist simultaneously and are equally authentic. Therefore, the passing of time is deemed an illusion, and all events which have already occurred or will occur in the future are equally existent. Eternalism views time as a four-dimensional landscape, where every moment is frozen and exists in a perpetual present.
- Presentism
Presentism concludes that only the present moment is real. In this theory, the past and future cease to exist, and the only genuine moment of existence is the current one. Essentially, in the present, the past no longer prevails and the future is not yet existent.