In this post, I'd like to explore the psychological point of view regarding about reality.

Reality, in general term, is a state of things as they actually exist. Reality also includes nothingness. The world is a set of infinite factual entities independent from human experience. Those facts are governed by rules. It is feasible and logical possible for a particular living being learn about these rules and predict the way things change. That living entity is human.

Human, with their sophisticated brain, use reasoning and experience to figure out the rules that govern the dynamic of the ever-changing reality. While number of discovered rules are increasing, the number of unknown rules are infinite. It's logical to guess that brain is increasing the capability to discover new rule. That's called evolution. Nevertheless, we are an inescapable part of nature system and we're evolving conform to its rules. Our brain, despite of its complexity and wonder, is a produce of nature. Think about it, you can not explore, invent or understand any reality beyond your current brain capability. Computer and any other thinking aid machine are derivatives of the brain and can not perform better than the brain itself .

The interaction with reality is an vital part of living beings. It gave them the context of their existent. However, as a vulnerable living being, human is reluctant to interact directly with the reality, afraid of being hurt. Therefore, he creates an artificial and virtual environment that suitable for him to live in. This environment connects with reality through some focused channels (as we say "in touch with reality"). As people become more mature, they gradually live in their parallel worlds of their own perception of reality. Inside their bubbles, they create values, rules to manage the interaction channels with the outside world. Some people see the interaction with other human as a vital part of their reality. Others find reality through interaction with nature by they own senses. Interaction within their bubble worlds is much more interesting than the real one. For example, experiencing realities such as wars, battles, historic events, rare phenomenons are prohibited expensive and maybe life threatening. People created those simulated worlds in books, movies, games to sell to others. People like to escape reality by emerging to those fantasies.

It's hard to change people behavior just as hard as changing their "bubble" world. However, people do change after life-changing event. They are force to re-evaluate their own world, making more connection to reality. It's really painful, I know. Most people don't success.

Ideologies, religions, theories aren't realities. They are visions, guidance to take out the uncertainty of realities and explaining things in a designed way. Whether they conform with universal reality isn't a most important issue. However, its calming psychological effects is what human need.

It's true that people can't change universal reality without interacting directly to it. The important question we need to ask to ourselves is how we can achieve a biggest impact on reality without expose ourselves too much. The answer should be creating the shortest channel between your virtual world and real reality. In other word, making an impact on reality by solving real problems that we comfortably do. A successful person has his values and rules align with the universal realities despite of differences with other "bubble" worlds.

Reality is common sense. Common sense is the same type of evaluation all sane people will share and often derive independently. For example, if you drop a rock from your hand it will fall down toward the ground. This is common sense that a two year old can sort of figure out. It is independent of culture, sex, religion, education, etc.. It is common and therefore a small dose of reality.

If we try to explain why the rock falls, using gravity, distortions in space-time, or whatever, these explanations can defy common sense. The fact that our understanding of gravity continues to progress and is still divergent shows that we may be approaching this layer of reality but are not quite there yet. When the final answer appears then it will become part of consensus common sense. Until then, it is a work in progress that can sometimes defy consensus common sense, because it is not yet locked in reality. When common sense has 2 or 3 different orientations, the biggest team doesn't automatically win, if competitive common sense also exists. Reality requires one consensus.

Although science may narrow alternatives approaching reality, like gravity down to 2-3, much higher levels of divergence occur in philosophy, culture, politics and religion, to name four. All could be works in progress that are leading toward the final reality of consensus common sense. But until they all converge, their connection to reality is limited to them all being a work in progress.

Divergence toward reality needs to market itself as reality to collect enough members to attempt to reach consensus. Ironically, common sense is independent of market appeal, with all members of the group able to reach the same reality without too much help from other members. That is the nature of common sense and reality. Work in progress common sense requires some form of marketing.

For example, if we go back to the rock falling to the ground, try to remember when the common sense appeared and how it appeared. It may have been in the terrible 2's, learning to deconstruct the house. It stuck with you as part of common sense that we all share. It wasn't due to debate, argued by intellectuals, taught in school. Those are connected to divergence common sense that is trying to approach reality.

Reality, like time, is a sentient concept based upon perception. Reality and truth can be used interchangeably in conversation and logic to attain the same perception of that which is unalterable as defined by observation. Perception of truth is usually by consensus of like minded individuals agreeing on the parameters of logic defining that which can be defined as true or false. A belief system, as by consensus of like minded individuals, can be seen only to define reality or truth for those educated in the dogmas of that system and have little or no relation to reality as perceived by others who may have been educated within a different system of realities.
Is there underlying reality to the universe that can lead all beings of sentience to the same conclusions regarding the mechanics of those manifestations and therefore a consensus of that reality? That answer must, of necessity, await an experiential determination leaving at this time only conjecture.
Cheers