But then again, I’d say no if it is a matter of something becoming objectively true because one’s mind believes it so because it would lose the ‘mind independence’ criteria.

I haven’t really worked on thinking that philosophically, so I wouldn’t be surprised to be way off base.

I would say yes. If you truly believe something to be real it makes it real, to you. Others would also have to believe it’s real for it to be real to them.

A good example is the economic meltdown. Some people that are near broke or homeless see it as very real. Others with jobs and plenty of extra currency don’t think it’s that bad, until they get laid off, then it’s very real to them also.

The man was a schizophrenic and he would walk around town talking to his invisible pal. One day I decided to talk to the both of them and decided to treat the non-existent man as if he were real, just to see what would happen. It cost me five smokes, which he had while we spoke.

It started when I saw him at the bus stop where he was talking with ‘Jim’ and I asked, “what’s with your friend?” – that started the conversation wich lasted for about 10-15 minutes. I would ask him to tell me what his friend said – and he did. Once I had the fellow telling me what the invisible guy was saying, he didn’t seem so nuts. But then again, we only ever have the one side of the conversation with these people and no one ever asks what the invisible guy says.

It was quite strange and left me with some things to think about. Even property rights came up when I was thinking about it.

Like, who owns the body? If there are two consciousnesses inhabiting it, then who gets to be the owner?  This invisible man was quite well versed in modern events and was capable of directing his words to me through his ‘host’ – that is to say, once he knew I was talking to/about him, the invisible man began addressing me. His name was ‘Jim’.

Modern medicine would see this ‘Jim’ subdued or drugged out of existence. They would use medicine that would deblitate the host so much that he would be unable to support himself, and his best pal wouldn’t be able to be there for him either.

One day we will have the technology to give these things form, be it in audio or video. Eventually technology will advance to the point where ‘Jim’ cannot only be heard’ but even give himself form, like through an avatar or augmented reality.  It will help doctors better treat their patients and understand them.

Anyhow, I don’t recommend that anyone else talks to nutcases, so don’t.