In order to answer questions about what truly exists, we must first understand what the word exist means.
What does exist mean by definition:
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, exist is a verb that means "to have real being whether material or spiritual", "to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions", or "to continue to be". The word exist comes from the Latin word existere, which means "to come into view, appear, show oneself, come into being". The first known use of exist was circa 1568.
Citation styles are different ways of formatting how you cite your sources in your academic writing. Different citation styles have different rules for how to present the author, date, title, and other information of a source. Some common citation styles are APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. For example, here is how you would cite the Merriam-Webster Dictionary in these four styles:
APA: Merriam-Webster. (2023). Exist. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved July 30, 2023, from
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MLA: "Exist." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 2023. Accessed 30 July 2023, from
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Chicago: Merriam-Webster, s.v. "Exist," accessed July 30, 2023, from
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Harvard: Merriam-Webster (2023) Exist, Accessed: 30 July 2023, from
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From the above it is hard to say whether the past exists without further definition. Do you refer to exist in the present, or do you refer to exist throughout all time? It's possible you are even referring to what is real rather than what exists. Strategies, ideas, and abstract concepts do not physically exist, yet they are real and govern many of our decisions in our everyday lives. Perhaps the past and future do not exist currently but then perhaps they are real?
Can something be real but not exist:
There are different ways of understanding what it means for something to be real or to exist, and different fields of study may have different answers. Here are some possible perspectives:
- From a scientific point of view, something is real if it can be observed, measured, or tested by empirical methods. Something exists if it has physical properties, such as mass, energy, or location. For example, atoms are real and exist because they can be detected by instruments and experiments. However, this view may not account for abstract concepts, such as numbers, logic, or morality, which are not physical but may still be considered real by some people
- From a metaphysical point of view, something is real if it has ontological status, meaning that it belongs to the fundamental nature of reality. Something exists if it has being or essence, which may or may not depend on other things. For example, some philosophers argue that universals, such as colors, shapes, or properties, are real and exist independently of particular things that instantiate them. Others deny that universals are real and exist, and claim that only particulars, such as individual objects or events, are real and exist
- From a logical point of view, something is real if it can be referred to by a meaningful expression or term. Something exists if it satisfies the conditions of a well-defined concept or predicate. For example, some logicians maintain that fictional characters, such as Sherlock Holmes or Harry Potter, are real but do not exist, because they can be named and described but do not correspond to any actual individuals in the world. Others contend that fictional characters are neither real nor existent, because they are only products of imagination and language
What does real mean by definition:
The word real has several meanings and uses, depending on the context and the part of speech. Here are some definitions of real from different sources, along with citations:
- According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, real is a noun that means “the basic monetary unit of Brazil since 1994, equal to 100 centavos”, “a former coin and monetary unit of various Spanish-speaking countries”, or “something that actually exists, as a particular quantity”. It is also an adverb that means “very, really” or an adjective that means “having objective independent existence”, “not artificial, fraudulent, or illusory”, “complete”, “adjusted for changes in the value of money”, “having no imaginary part”, or “of or relating to fixed, permanent, or immovable things”.
- According to the Dictionary.com, real is an adjective that means “true; not merely ostensible, nominal, or apparent”, “existing or occurring as fact; actual rather than imaginary, ideal, or fictitious”, or “being an actual thing; having objective existence; not imaginary”. It is also an adverb that means “very, really” or a noun that means “real number” or “the real”.
- According to the Collins English Dictionary, real is an adjective that means “Something that is real actually exists and is not imagined, invented, or theoretical.” It also has other meanings such as “genuine and authentic”, “accurate and factual”, “serious and important”, or “relating to the value of money after allowing for inflation”.
- Does the past exist?
- Does the future exist?
- Do abstractions exist?
- Do thoughts exist?
- If something will never be observed, does it exist?
- If you have heard that something has been observed, but never observe it yourself, does it exist?
All of these questions revolve around an individual's perspective and interpretation of the concept of existence or reality. From my understanding, I consider both the future and the past to be real but not present in the current moment. I don't view the future and the present as a unified entity, but rather, they can appear interconnected when viewed from an objective standpoint, much like how a photon perceives time as it travels through space.
In my perspective, a thing can be true in one sense and also true in another, even if these truths seem contradictory. For example, I believe that the future is predetermined, yet I also hold that humans should be held responsible for their actions. This might seem complex, but I have carefully considered and thought through this idea. It's as if truths can vary depending on the user's standpoint, whether it's a philosophical, physical, subjective, objective, or any other perspective.
I don't think that one truth is superior to others, nor do I believe in an ultimate truth. Instead, I believe that the truth to be employed should be chosen based on its practicality and the answer it seeks to produce. To illustrate, both light meters and teaspoons are legitimate tools for uncovering truths, but using a light meter to measure a teaspoon or vice versa would be inappropriate because each has its intended purpose based on the situation. They are different perspectives, but they remain legitimate truths.
Similarly, when considering subjective or objective perspectives, I believe they can coexist as truths, even if they appear to contradict each other. For instance, it can be 100 degrees outside subjectively while objectively being only 80 degrees. Depending on the context and the desired result, each perspective serves its purpose, and all can be considered simultaneous truths.
