Question
What is reality?
Reality is what exists or is true whether or not we want it to be so. But humans also experience personal, social, symbolic and imagined realities that must be carefully distinguished.
Answer
Reality is often used as if it were simple, but the word covers several ideas. Physical reality includes things that exist independently of personal belief, such as bodies, gravity, disease, weather and material events.
Subjective reality includes experiences such as pain, emotion, memory, fear and hope. These experiences are real to the person having them, but the interpretation placed on them may still be mistaken.
Social reality includes money, law, nationality, status, marriage, institutions and roles. These depend on human agreement, but they can still have real consequences.
Imagined or symbolic reality includes stories, myths, visions, dreams, metaphors and sacred narratives. These may influence life deeply, but influence is not the same as literal truth.
A reasoned approach asks what kind of reality is being discussed. Confusion happens when symbolic, subjective or social realities are treated as if they were physical facts.
Evidence
Different types of claims require different tests. Physical claims need evidence about the external world. Subjective claims need attention to experience. Social claims need attention to shared systems and consequences.
Careful reasoning begins by identifying the type of claim.
Alternative views
Some traditions argue that reality is ultimately spiritual, mental or illusory. Such claims should be examined carefully, especially when they make practical claims about the world.