Is Fiction Possible?

[Willamena]

I recently read on RF the proposition that we might live in Matrix-like universe. But The Matrix was fiction.

Is fiction possible?

 

[Deidre]

But it wouldn't be fiction, if we were living it. I think that one of the interesting things about The Matrix, is that it left you wondering what was fictional and what wasn't.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I recently read on RF the proposition that we might live in Matrix-like universe. But The Matrix was fiction.

Is fiction possible?

I hesitate to ask, but how would you define fiction?
By my definition, yes, fiction is possible.

 

[allfoak]

I recently read on RF the proposition that we might live in Matrix-like universe. But The Matrix was fiction.

Is fiction possible?

Fiction nor anything else can be created without it first being created within the mind of the creator.
A film is not a fiction any more than a human being is a fiction.
The subject of a film or the words spoken by a human being must be judged on their own merit as to what benefit they may have for those who experience them.

fic·tion
ˈfikSH(ə)n/
noun
noun: fiction

1. literature in the form of prose, especially short stories and novels, that describes imaginary events and people.
   synonyms: novels, stories, (creative) writing, (prose) literature;
   informallit
   "the popularity of South American fiction"
   • invention or fabrication as opposed to fact.
     plural noun: fictions
     "he dismissed the allegation as absolute fiction"
     synonyms: fabrication, invention, lies, fibs, untruth, falsehood, fantasy, nonsense
     "the president dismissed the allegation as absolute fiction"
     antonyms: fact
   • a belief or statement that is false, but that is often held to be true because it is expedient to do so.
     "the notion of that country being a democracy is a polite fiction"

This is definition one of Matrix from Merriam Webster .

Definition of matrix
plural
matrices
play \ˈmā-trə-ˌsēz, ˈma-\ or
matrixes
play \ˈmā-trik-səz\

1. 1 : something within or from which something else originates, develops, or takes form

This definition resonates with the ancient Hermetic teachings which say that All is Mind.
That we originated and exist within a Great Mind or Thought.
That we ourselves are as neurons in the All encompassing Mind.

Quantum physicists like Arthur Eddington, James Jeans, Neils Bohr, Planck, Schrodinger and countless others have spoken of this Mind or Matrix of sorts that we exist within.
Some have called it the Field.

In other words, i think the concept of a matrix has some merit.

Life is not based on fiction, but rather fiction is based on life.

 

[Thief]

I recently read on RF the proposition that we might live in Matrix-like universe. But The Matrix was fiction.

Is fiction possible?

some things have taken form
science fiction writers placed those items in their work
their forecast is our reality

gps embedded in the skin

hand held communicators

high tech.....we are watching you

but some items are beyond construction
like Star Trek's .....Dyson sphere
you would need materials from thousands of solar systems

 

[Willamena]

I hesitate to ask, but how would you define fiction?
By my definition, yes, fiction is possible.

A narrative that's entirely made up.

Edit: I'm not referring to the media, just its content.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

A narrative that's entirely made up.

Edit: I'm not referring to the media, just its content.

I'd suggest it hinges on what you mean by 'entirely' then. There's no new ideas in the world, so to speak. Tolkien is fiction (to my mind) but clearly borrowed from earlier fictions, etc.

 

[Willamena]

Fiction nor anything else can be created without it first being created within the mind of the creator.
A film is not a fiction any more than a human being is a fiction.
The subject of a film or the words spoken by a human being must be judged on their own merit as to what benefit they may have for those who experience them.

You've misused "nor" in your post. It should read, "Neither fiction, nor anything else,..."

How is a film that is created in the mind of its creator not a fiction?

Your last sentence defies reality. While it's true that we judge everything thrown our way as to whether it's fiction or not, that's not the issue. The issue is about truth, which is that judgement having been already made. You've already decided that it's made up... so is fiction possible?

This is definition one of Matrix from Merriam Webster .

This definition resonates with the ancient Hermetic teachings which say that All is Mind.
That we originated and exist within a Great Mind or Thought.
That we ourselves are as neurons in the All encompassing Mind.

Quantum physicists like Arthur Eddington, James Jeans, Neils Bohr, Planck, Schrodinger and countless others have spoken of this Mind or Matrix of sorts that we exist within.
Some have called it the Field.

In other words, i think the concept of a matrix has some merit.

Life is not based on fiction, but rather fiction is based on life.

something within or from which something else originates, develops, or takes form

So, having decided that it's possible, what does that say about it being true?

 

[Willamena]

I'd suggest it hinges on what you mean by 'entirely' then. There's no new ideas in the world, so to speak. Tolkien is fiction (to my mind) but clearly borrowed from earlier fictions, etc.

But Carl Sagan is nonfiction, clearly not borrowed from Tolkien.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

But Carl Sagan is nonfiction, clearly not borrowed from Tolkien.

Sorry, I'm confused.
Isn't the question 'Is fiction possible?'

That would indicate to me that even a single instance of fiction anywhere is all that is required to prove the proposition. Perhaps I'm misreading?

 

[psychoslice]

Of course fiction is possible, as also non-fiction, one is true the other is not, both are possible.

 

[allfoak]

So, having decided that it's possible, what does that say about it being true?

Using the instructions of the ancients these things can be proven to one's self that it is true.
What it says to you about being true and what it says to me I am certain are completely different.
This only means that it would take some work to come to some mutual understanding.
This is of course possible since everything is true on some level.

You've misused "nor" in your post. It should read, "Neither fiction, nor anything else,..."

Yes, i'm afraid my language skills are not very polished these days, i apologize.

How is a film that is created in the mind of its creator not a fiction?

It is not the actual physical film that is a fiction since we can see it, touch it and so forth, it is the subject of the film that may be fiction.
I equated this to the difference between a human being and what comes out of our mouth.

Something can only become a reality if it manifests in accordance with the natural laws.
If it is "fiction" that is not likely to happen.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Maybe if you are talking about other universes. Certain fictions may be possible unto themselves, provided they have a complete and consistent basis for existing; but would they be possible for us to reach? No, although we could have similar things in our universe. I think its analogous to mathematical rings. They are sets of numbers that are consistent under certain rules. We're like one ring, and the consistent fictional universe is like a different ring. One ring can have a different set of numbers than another ring, yet both rings are consistent in themselves. There can be some overlap in the numbers, however the operations define the ring not the numbers. This is analogous to similar universes that don't really touch. For example suppose there were a universe similar to ours where the rainbow was different, with red touching green and blue touching yellow. This would not be consistent with our universe. Our Physical laws would not support it, but that other universe might. So that fiction could be possible but not reachable by us.

 

[Fisher]

I recently read on RF the proposition that we might live in Matrix-like universe. But The Matrix was fiction.

Is fiction possible?

Umm, not the ficition itself but every fiction particially is a derivation from the experienceable reality. it has a so called true core. imagination via fear,awe, love, etc .. is used to dramatize and hide the unknown core. The truth is wrapped with a fictive concept idea where merely the unknown core is the attraction. But fiction alone is just a notion which falls apart when the unknown is made known. Well, sorry, i cant describe it any more clearer.

 

[Wu Wei]

I recently read on RF the proposition that we might live in Matrix-like universe. But The Matrix was fiction.

Is fiction possible?

In 1902, the movie, "A Trip to the Moon" was fiction. In 1969 Apollo 11 made it reality.

 

[Willamena]

Sorry, I'm confused.
Isn't the question 'Is fiction possible?'

That would indicate to me that even a single instance of fiction anywhere is all that is required to prove the proposition. Perhaps I'm misreading?

Perhaps. It sounds like "an instance of fiction" would be to examine the media rather than the content.

As a simple example, is it possible that somewhere, sometime, there is an actual Darth Vader?

(The issue isn't about Darth Vader, but about truth.)

 

[Willamena]

Of course fiction is possible, as also non-fiction, one is true the other is not, both are possible.

What about the fiction known as a lie? Are lies possible?

 

[Willamena]

Using the instructions of the ancients these things can be proven to one's self that it is true.
What it says to you about being true and what it says to me I am certain are completely different.
This only means that it would take some work to come to some mutual understanding.
This is of course possible since everything is true on some level.

On the level that "it is" things are true. But that sidesteps the issue. We have this concept of fiction particularly to address instances where the thing-in-itself does not refer to an actuality.

Then question, then, I suppose, is, can possibility refer to things that are not actual?

It is not the actual physical film that is a fiction since we can see it, touch it and so forth, it is the subject of the film that may be fiction.
I equated this to the difference between a human being and what comes out of our mouth.

Just so.

Something can only become a reality if it manifests in accordance with the natural laws.
If it is "fiction" that is not likely to happen.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Are you asking whether there can be inconsistency in reality?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Perhaps. It sounds like "an instance of fiction" would be to examine the media rather than the content.

As a simple example, is it possible that somewhere, sometime, there is an actual Darth Vader?

(The issue isn't about Darth Vader, but about truth.)

Possible? I guess. But that doesn't change the fact that in our world...our universe if you like...he's a work of fiction.