Existence and Its Mysteries: The Human Perspective and the Role of Evidence
What does it actually mean to exist? How is it different from non-existence? How can we be sure if something exists or does not exist? These profound questions have puzzled philosophers, scientists, and thinkers for centuries. In this manifested world, there is no vacant place. Something exists even if we cannot see, feel, or measure it with physical instruments and our senses.
Defining Existence
To exist, something only needs to be part of the real world or impact it in a way that can be located in a specific space and time. This concept leads us to ponder the vastness of what remains unknown to us. Humans have no way of knowing the difference between existence and non-existence for everything that has existed, currently exists, or will exist. We only know a limited portion of it.
Human Limitations
Humans, as we know them, have not existed forever, have not explored all areas of the universe, and have not experienced everything across all scales. Therefore, humans are not the measure nor the measurer of all things. It follows that humans do not possess complete knowledge of past, present, or future existences. When someone claims that if something or someone exists, there would be evidence of it, this statement can be true. However, it is not conclusive that any human knows all the evidence pertaining to all existence.
The assertion that we can prove the non-existence of anything requires having all the evidence of everything. No individual human being has ever or will ever have this comprehensive knowledge. This fact underscores the vast ignorance that exists beyond the realms of human understanding. If evidence were the sole distinction between what exists and what does not, the only way to prove it would be to examine every piece of evidence.
Exploring Evidence and Its Role
Has humanity ventured everywhere? We have not even ventured beyond our solar system. Do we humans know everything that has existed or occurred even on Earth, the only planet we have inhabited? If we did, we would have no further need for science since our knowledge would be exhaustive.
Intelligent understanding lies in recognizing that no human knows everything about everything. It is illogical to assume that evidence exists only if at least one human knows it exists. Evidence unknown is not evidence that no evidence exists. The fact that there are things we humans do not know is a fundamental part of human perception.
We humans reason and understand based on what we know, supported by evidence, but recognize the limits of this knowledge. Our understanding exists within an infinite realm of ignorance that extends beyond our current comprehension. The challenge is to explore and accept this knowledge gap, fostering a deeper and more nuanced understanding of existence and its mysteries.