What Do You See?

During a discussion on objective reality. How do we know there is… more.

A: So you don’t believe there is an objective reality?

B: Well, I at least don’t think we can know it.

A: (looking out the window)  Look at that tree right there.

B: Okay.

A: What do you see?

B: Uh.  A tree.  What do you see?

A: A tree.

B: Okay.

(awkward silence)

B: Okay. I see a tree. With branches. Leaves.

A: Is that all?

B: I see what once was a seed, blooming into leaves, flowers, branches.  I see a giver of oxygen and a producer of more seeds of its kind.  I see a home for insects, a climbing tower for adventurous children, and a refuge for the birds of the sky.  I see the wind blow.  I see shade under the sun.  I could go on I suppose.

A: You could walk by that tree every day and never actually see what you just described.  It doesn’t mean it wasn’t always the reality.  There is always more than what we actually see.  Always.