(Originally written September 17, 2005 in Book 2)
The Problems of Philosophy
Bertrand Russell
1912
Chapter Two: The Existence of Matter
Is there such a thing as matter? Is there a table which has an intrinsic nature that continues to exist even if I stop looking at it or is it a mere product of my imagination?
"We can never prove the existence of things other than ourselves and our experiences" (Russell, 22).
It is logically plausible for us to be the only reality and everything else is a fabrication of our dreams and fantasy. But, while logically plausible it is not likely.
It is an instinctive belief that we believe that our sense data corresponds with a real physical world and the physical world is not dependent on our senses. It makes life simpler if we believe in the existence of matter.
All knowledge is built on our instinctive beliefs. Our instinctive beliefs should harmonize with one another to form a plausible system. The only reason to reject an intrinsic belief is if it clashes with another instinctive belief.
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