Is the universe there when you are not looking?

Answer 1

Of course the universe is there if you aren't looking. The earth is part of the universe, so... you're here, I'm here... without even looking.

Another viewpoint: I believe the Universe is there when you aren't looking,

but this sort of question has a long history in philosophy. I don't think you can

even prove that the Universe exists at all.

A famous philosopher who worked with these ideas was the Bishop, George Berkeley.

Another way to look at it (no pun intended--or is there?) is, when you look in a mirror, how do you know that you are not the reflection?

Maybe what you see is the real Universe.

Another comment: What if you don't look in a mirror?

Or perhaps dreams are the real world, not when we are awake.

Or maybe, or..................