Are Mental Objects Illusions?
>>But the objects of our knowledge are manufactured by our mind. If so do these objects, exist in and of themselves or are they illusions? <<
Hello, Mitchell. I'm not sure how you define illusion, but I can give you an argument that the objects of thought exist in and of themselves - i.e., the objects exist independently of an interpreter. That conclusion is based on two assumptions: (1) The Big Bang (or some other "starting time or times" vitalized by energy) is valid; and (2) E=MCC. Then:
1) The Big Bang created a Universe of energy;
2) Each thing that exists in the Universe is composed of energy;
3) Ideas exist in the Universe, and are composed of energy;
4) Energy can be viewed as matter;
5) Ideas can be viewed as matter;
6) Ideas are defined in terms of other ideas;
7) A Geometry of Ideas follows.
This establishes an interlocking structure of physical ideas. And what are these "ideas"? Since they are composed of energy, ideas are physical particles arranged in unique designs - designs mandated by the power relationships - energy relationships - among the particles composing the ideas.
I am not a logician, and can't phrase 1-7 above to the exacting standards I have seen in this forum. But to me the "sense" of the argument is clear: 1) we live in a physical universe; 2) the ideas that exist in this universe are also physical; 3) these ideas (like Plato's Ideals) exist independently of an observer.
Tony