I see an external reality composed of impersonal, non-human forces. However, at the collective level with which I deal with it, it is composed of other human beings and groups of humans, and of the interactions between them, from my own personal psychology to the sweep of world history.

I believe the universe is nothing but matter and energy interacting in space and time, and NOTHING ELSE. No spooky forces or shadowy personalities pulling strings in the background and making things happen. But that is not the world I live in and my mind has to perceive and influence.

I don't deal with the universe at the quantum level, or even at the chemical level. The kind of activities where I deal with the universe involve things like choosing a career, running my household, conducting my business, managing my social relationships, maintaining a harmonious relationship between myself and the universe around me. The rules are very different from what lies beneath, electricity, gravity, chemistry, etc. But they are just as real.

But every now and then I have to remind myself that nothing I see, do or think means shit to a tree.