Discuss the relationship between appearance and being

[552020]

Leo seems to be tied to a 'normal' modern conception, deeply rooted in Platonic and Kantian thought, where a clear separation between appearance and being prevails. We—and above all the 'polloi', the many, i.e., the normal people—primarily grasp a superficial image of reality, or rather, an image of reality. In a more Platonic vein, it is believed that only the wise or particularly profound beings can pierce through these appearances to behold the true reality, which for Plato is an intellectual apprehension of the eternal Forms. Kant, on the other hand, posits that the things themselves (Noumena) are fundamentally inaccessible to us; they serve not just as the source of our knowledge but as a realm beyond our cognitive reach, shaping our perceptions through the filters of space, time, and the categories of understanding. Starting from the premise that we cannot know what lies beyond our access (the Noumenon), Hegel inverts this view, arguing that reality, or being, manifests itself through its appearances, in a dialectical process where essence and appearance are not opposed but are moments in the self-unfolding narrative of Spirit (Geist).

Following our exploration of these foundational perspectives, our discussion aims to guide Leo beyond his modernist stance on reality and truth, nudging him towards engaging with more contemporary, or perhaps post-modern, interpretations of reality. In the post-modern view, reality is not a singular, unified essence waiting to be unveiled but is instead perceived as a structure composed of concomitant narratives, each vying for validity. This paradigm shift suggests that truth and reality are not absolute but are constructed through language, culture, and social processes, highlighting the pluralistic and contingent nature of what we come to understand as 'real'. By juxtaposing Leo's current perception with this framework, we aim not only to broaden the horizon of discourse but also to illuminate the multiplicity and constructed nature of reality as it is experienced in the contemporary world. This conversation intends to open a space for Leo to appreciate the intricate tapestry of narratives that constitute our understanding of reality, encouraging a move away from seeking a monolithic truth towards embracing the diverse and intersecting stories that shape our world.

Link to the text of the discussion for the drafting of this text

[lmangall]

Leo read this book, that was given to him by a really interesting, really communistic ultra left wing skinhead, intellectual yet very down to earth Marsillian Corsican guy (for real, and that's only half of the interesting things about this person) :
https://www.amazon.com/Spinoza-Encule-Policier-English-French/dp/2070409627

[552020]

Oh! And was it interesting? I really know NULL about Spinoza. The really communistic ultra left skinhead in general don't like Hegel, cause well you know materialism vs. idealism. No bombs and revolutions following Hegels you just contemplate the Spirit unfolding itself and becoming reality. The review on Amazon were also not so helpful. But at least I understood that's a (philosophical) novel.