Mystical Angels

What makes you so sure that hallucinations aren't real?

What if the hallucination was actually more real than what we think of as reality which is most likely just a complex dream we're subconsciously creating. What if the hallucination or mystical experience allowed one to take a peek through the illusion into the true nature of reality?

Public Comments

1. Mostly because the definition of the word hallucination is a sensory experience of something that does not exist outside the mind, caused by various physical and mental disorders, or by reaction to certain toxic substances, and usually manifested as visual or auditory images.
2. Then it wouldn't be called a hallucination.
3. What if your question stems from an almost immeasurable depth of ignorance and fantasy.
4. If it were real, then it wouldn't be a hallucination. See how that works? Yeah, I get philosophical when I'm stoned too.
5. Your idea that so-called reality isn't a hallucination is interesting. Have you ever really thought about that? Love and blessings Don
6. Far out man. Pass me that joint.
7. When I smoke I think that way...are you smoking ....pass me some of that. cough cough.
8. a neurologist at the hospital wouldnt agree with u..... he would instead prescribe u medicines
9. You miss the entire definition of hallucination.
10. If you take your medications, those nasty hallucinations will go away.
11. lol... ok, how often do you hallucinate?? In my world, Ive never had a hallucination. It sounds like maybe you have them often. In that case, you should talk to a Dr. I think you're at that point of falling off the ledge, if you get my drift. Good luck. PS, say no to drugs.
12. "Reality" is sometimes defined as that which can exercise an influence on another entity, which would include dreams, hallucinations, visions.... At other times it is defined as merely "a collective hunch." Hard to answer this one without a generally-accepted definition, which no philosopher, as far as I know, has delivered. Ignore the sarcasm, good question.
13. A hallucination, by definition, isn't real. That's why we think of them as such. Even if all of our perceptions are some sort of hallucinations or illusions, it wouldn't be real by definition. The bigger question is: what sort of way would you verify that reality isn't "real?" If you have a vision of some otherwordly place, what could compel somebody decide that their vision is the real thing, and everything else around them is illusory? Even if you are stuck in an illusion, it still doesn't make sense to dismiss your perception in favor of whatever flights of fancy your imagination can take.
14. If your hallucinations seem more real than that which you perceive to be reality then you're probably experiencing some kind of mental trauma, if not something physical. You can, of course, choose whatever reality you wish, but if you are still labeling your visions as hallucinations then you still see them as such. So, to answer your question directly: I am sure my hallucinations are not real because my mind is still sharp enough to see the difference between fantasy and reality. Perhaps you should investigate the definition of the word reality and it's philosophical connotations. Have fun!