Essay 7-Object

Introduction

In essay 6, we have determined the existence of objects through conscious experience. It is determined and established that any kind of conscious experience is or phenomenon is sufficient proof for the existence of any object. However, a question remains, what is an object? For all the establishments of the previous essay, the definition of object remains unclear. As such the purpose of this essay is to discover the definition of object.

Object

The establishment of the definition of object cannot be fully based on a previous truth, instead it is to be based on intuition and the source of proof. Of course, all truths must be based on another truth or on a source of proof, and not by intuition alone. However, when I say by intuition, I do not mean that the truth is based upon intuition. Instead the construction of the definition and the words to form the definition of object.

When we determine the definition of object, we first observe the common definition of object, the common perspective of what is an object. Then we observe the actual phenomenon as it is in reality. We then compare the words used with the actual phenomenon and then revise the common definition and construct a new definition of object. As such the intuition is used as a starting point and a comparison point.

According to common perspectives of what is an object, an object is some sort of unit or individual “thing”. The common definition does not define an object well enough and sometimes instead defines it circularly with synonyms such as “thing” or “what”. However, we aim to do better and define an object by other than itself. In this case, we will aim to base the definition on a relationship.

This relationship is the relationship between an object and reality. We can then define an object as part of reality. As such we obtain the core essence of object, that is as a part of reality. On the definition of reality, we will refer to essay 4, which states reality as the totality of existence. We can then let go of the intuition and begin to observe the phenomenon of object. From the general phenomena of object, we can then observe 2 more elements of the object.

The 2 elements are unique and limited. An object is unique, meaning it is different from other objects and we can clearly distinguish them with complete information. If 2 objects are completely the same, then they are not 2 objects but 1 object only. Multiple objects imply that there is a difference among those objects, even if it’s superficial. Limited here does not mean the amount or number of the object, but the scope of the object. There are clear definitions of what is included in the object and what is not included in the object. As an object is only a part, it is not the whole and not all of reality is part of one object. In short, to say the object is limited is to say that it encompasses only one portion of reality and not all of it.

By that we can formulate a single definition of object according to its general phenomena, that is, “An object is a unique and limited part of reality.”

Reality and Object

An interesting question may be raised, is reality an object or not? A proper philosophical examination of this question is then to compare the phenomena of reality with the phenomena of object. If it matches, then certainly it is an object but otherwise it is not an object. We must compare reality with the 3 elements of part, unique, and limited. At a first glance it does not seem obvious, but closer examination will reveal that it is not a simple yes or no.

Let us analyse this problem from each element. The element of part, is reality a part of reality? It seems that reality is not a part of itself, after all reality is itself. We wouldn’t say that a plane is part of a plane. We would say a wing, a cabin, an aisle, an engine, are all parts of a plane. But a plane is not part of a plane. However, we are also familiar with the concept of sets, in which a set can be part of itself. Then let us apply set theory to reality. Imagine the set of reality which contains all existence. Then let us say that all existence within that set is united into a single totality, now we have a set of reality within the original set of reality. In this case, reality is then a part of itself.

Let us continue to the next element of unique. Is reality unique? If reality is unique, it must be comparable to other “things”, but there is ever only 1 reality which exists, for reality by definition is the totality of all, nothing is excluded. Then reality is the highest level of categorization, and so once we reach levels of reality, we have nothing else. Therefore, reality cannot be unique as it cannot be compared. However, we acknowledge that reality can be a part of itself, and so be compared with other parts of itself, and so we would know that the set of reality is indeed different from any other set. It then fulfils the criterion of uniqueness.

The final element is limited. Is reality limited? It would seem that it is a foolish question, as reality is the antithesis of limitedness. There is no end to the scope of reality, all objects are by definition a part of reality and so there is nothing which is not part of reality. Limitation implies that there are things which part of reality and there are things which are not part of reality, but clearly reality is unlimited. However, if we examine reality as a subset of itself, then we may see that it is actually limited. Reality is by definition a totality; it cannot be a part or an individual. Therefore, there is a limit to what is reality and what is not reality, the totality of all existence is the set of reality but individuals are not the set of reality. As such, in that sense reality is indeed limited.

In the end, it seems it depends on one basic perspective, do we wish to examine reality as a set beneath a greater absolute set of reality, or do we wish to examine it as that absolute set of reality which is not below anything else? As such the solution is to accept that reality can be both an object and not an object, however not in the same position. Reality as the absolute set is not an object as in essence it is not part of itself. The set of reality inside the absolute set is indeed an object, as in essence it is a part of its greater self, of the Reality.

Significance

The definition of an object is significant in several ways just as the definition of conscious experience is significant. The first significance is the concept of the philosophical object. When people commonly speak of object, they think more of material objects. This is a very limited conception of object, while we require a more broad and whole definition of object. As such we arrive at the concept of the philosophical object, in order to clarify in all further philosophical essays what is meant by “object”.

A proper definition of object allows us to have consistent terminology in referring to the various part of reality. We would refer everything as an object as that is what they actually are according to our definitions and proofs. Consistent terminology allows us to understand more about the various roles of objects in reality. How they relate to each other and so what kind of objects they are. The uniformization of all things as objects allow us to compare everything on the same playing field.

Finally, it is possible that the definition of object will be used to prove something else about reality. This is just as the definition of conscious experience is used to prove the existence of objects or precisely to clarify the existence of objects. Then perhaps the definition of object will also be used in the future. Though in what kind of proof will it be used is still unclear. A possibility is in aiding in conceptions of change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this essay has produced for us 1 philosophical statement, that is, “An object is a unique and limited part of reality.” In the next essay we will answer a previous question from essay 6, that is whether objects are separate or identical with the phenomenon. With that this essay is declared to be finished.

This essay corresponds to the Indonesian version.