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Do Fantasy Creatures Really Exist?

To decide whether fantasy creatures are real, we must first look at the meaning of reality. We should also consider the theory of existence. Both reality and existence are concepts under philosophy. These terms, like so many others are shredded to find out what they really mean.

The first concept is reality which is both nothing and everything. Reality is considered to be the state of things as they are. This includes what is, even if it is not intelligible to all. A person's interpretation of an event, or series of events, will define their reality. That reality is altered by the personality of the person in question, or state of mind, which will have an effect on what they experience. In that way, reality is directly linked to experience. However, many people may witness the same chain of events but have noticed different parts of the events, which altered the reality of it for them.

For instance, a crowd of people witnesses a car crashing into a fruit vendor. That group of people may have seen the same accident, but each person may have noticed different things. One person my have focused on the type of car, or color. Another person may have worried about the driver. A third person may have noticed a lady in the direct path of the car. While they will describe the same events, those events will be colored by what they noticed.

Some theories describe reality as the thoughts, beliefs and actions toward reality. A person's belief will color their view of reality. If a person believes that animals have no soul, they will not mourn the loss of an animal, because that is their reality. On the other hand, someone who loses a pet who was viewed as part of the family, will have their reality tinged with sorrow.

Next to reality is existence. Though illusive, existence also lays in hand with reality. Existence is limited to being. Like reality, existence is shaded by the concepts of the person who thinks or worries about them. To exist could mean to occupy a space, to think and do, or to just be. To some people, the simple action of eating, sleeping, and breathing make one exist. While to others, existence means to experience life, to live and be.

With such fluidic concepts as reality and existence to consider when thinking the question are fantasy creatures real?' it is doubtful that one true answer will appear. Each person will have their own concept which will affect how they perceive the question and the answer.

To the creator of the fantasy, those things exist for a short time, if only in the mind. The same goes for the person reading or viewing the fantasy. In those cases, fantasy creatures, places, and people are real and indefinite. They exist only in the mind, but they do exist because according to one theory of reality and existence, they are. God also can be accused of creating a fantasy, and we all experience it daily. In his mind he saw the humans and Earth, then created it.

An example of what is perceived as a fantasy creature but is also considered real is a child's imaginary friend. The adults and parents who witness their child having an exchange with an invisible companion see nothing. The child however experiences the entirety of their friends. Many theories exist to explain away the imaginary friend'; however, theories do not alter the fact that the friend is real to the child's perception.

Learn more about this author, Chrystina Trulove-Swedenskey.
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