Thoughts on Existence (part 2)

(Originally written June 1, 2006 in Book 3)

Thus, existence is subdivided like this.

1. Existence
2a. Past
3a. Actual
3b. Intellectual
4a. Organic
4b. Inorganic
2b. Present
3a. Actual
3b. Intellectual
4a. Organic
4b. Inorganic

The organic and inorganic categories only fall under the heading "Actual Existence"

What is tricky though is that whenever we ponder the actual past existence of an object we are actually creating a present intellectual existence of an idea of that object. Thus, we only know intellectual existence whether it be past or present. (Past intellectual existence which we store as memory becomes present intellectual existence the minute we begin to ponder it again).

Thus, existence is as follow.

1) An object exists when it is.
2) That object exists in a set time, either the past or the present.
3) That object has either actual existence (if it is perceivable by the five physical senses) or an intellectual existence (if it is created in the mind of something with actual existence and not made to be tangible, i.e fictional characters, ideas, beliefs, etc.)
3b.) If the object has actual existence, whether it be past or present, then it has either organic (if it has life) or inorganic existence (if it is lifeless). All intellectual existence is inorganic because it has no life.

There are a number of anomalies when it comes to classifying existences. This is a list (though not exhaustive of such anomalies).

1. God - God has actual existence though we (normally) cannot use our five physical senses to perceive Him.

2. Human souls - souls have actual existence though we (normally) cannot use our five physical senses to perceive them.

3. The Human Mind - Minds have actual existence though we (normally) cannot use our five physical senses to perceive them.

Angels, demons and other objects of the Spiritual realm of existence fall into this crack.

Now as far as comprehension of existence I look to Kant for answers. The perception we have of anything that has actual existence conforms to our minds, thus we gain an intellectual existence of an actual object and infer that this idea we now have is inferred from an object with actual existence. This we have probable cause to believe that actual objects exist and it is absurd to doubt their actual existence. Belief then serves as the finishing touches of knowledge.

Knowledge is the foundation and skeleton; whereas belief is the part of the metaphorical building we call philosophy. Knowledge strengthens belief and belief completes knowledge. It is a symbiotic relationship and philosophy (and learning in general) is incomplete without either.