Page:An introduction to philosophy (IA introductiontoph00flet).pdf/25



'''§ 1. Ourselves and the World. —''' We find ourselves in a world where there are things and other persons, and where events occur. We have dealings with these persons and things, and we have part in some events and take interest in others. Life is very real. We are real, and the outer world and all that is in it are real. This fact of reality of ourselves and all that is about us has been impressed upon us by the experiences we have had in our intercourse with persons and our handling of things. We have found that, if we would succeed in our undertakings, we must recognize the reality of that with which we have to do, and we must adapt ourselves to its way of behaving; and we are certain that, if we should ignore the reality of the world and its happenings and the way things and persons behave, we would invite trouble, if not disaster.

Through the experiences which have impressed us with the reality of ourselves and the world, we have come to personal and practical acquaintance with ourselves and with what is other than self. We have learned something of the meaning for us of events and things and persons, B