Understanding Reality: Essence, Existence, and Truth

The need to understand the world and its meaning is a fundamental human characteristic. Throughout history, philosophers and cultures have constructed systems and models to explain reality, seeking a rational understanding of what is. A key distinction lies between appearance and reality. Our ways of knowing are limited, and the data we receive is processed by our brains. For many philosophers, reality is hidden behind appearances; what we perceive is merely a representation of what is truly real.

We must consider the complexity of the world, which includes not only the physical and objective but also the psychic and even the spiritual. Matter is what things are made of, perceived by the senses, and remains despite changes. Materialistic theories argue that matter is the cause and ultimate component of reality. Spirit, on the other hand, is anything opposed to the physical and the senses. Spiritualist and idealist theories claim that spirit is the true element explaining the multiplicity of reality.

The Composition of Reality

Reality can be understood through different perspectives:

• Monism: Everything is explained by a single substance or element, whether material or spiritual. Different beings are seen as qualitative changes from this single reality.
• Dualism: Reality is explained by two distinct and opposing substances: material and spiritual.
• Pluralism: Reality comprises a plurality of originating principles and substances.

Static or Dynamic Reality?

Some philosophers view reality as unified and complete, with a constant, unchanging essence. In this view, individuals are not defined in isolation but by their relationship to existence. Essence is what defines a being and distinguishes it from others; it is the fact of being, of existing.

Necessity and Contingency

In metaphysics, beings are defined by two opposing characteristics. Contingent beings exist now but may cease to exist, or may not have existed at all. Necessary beings exist and have always existed; they cannot be other than what they are or cease to exist. This is a theory of knowledge.

The Nature of Truth

The study of truth explores the origin and nature of knowledge, its types, capabilities, methods, and limits. Its aim is to verify the truth or falsity of our understanding of reality. Human capacity is not limited to capturing data but also to comprehending what has been perceived. Philosophy seeks to answer the question: Is there any truth in the relationship between our knowledge of reality and reality itself?

Plato believed that the material world is constantly changing, and true knowledge lies in the world of ideas. To truly understand reality, we must let go of sensory prejudices and turn our minds toward these ideas.