Yes, Santa Claus exists, though perhaps not in the way many might initially think. The word “illusion” need not be understood as something false or deceitful. Rather, I propose that illusions are not false but instead possess a reality within their influence.

Allow me to clarify. I do not believe the world is a fixed, given entity. Nor do I believe in unchangeable certainties, aside from the inevitable reality of death. I challenge the reduction of empiricism to only what can be observed, weighed, or measured—to objects like chairs or tables, or distances calculated between them. Instead, I align with the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze, who argued that what we call “empirical” encompasses not only physical entities but also subjective phenomena: thoughts, hallucinations, or images. In this sense, illusions operate as forces within the real, enhancing and enriching our world.

Consider this perspective: Harry Potter, Santa Claus, unicorns, or flying dragons exist. Their existence is not confined to their physical presence but is affirmed by their capacity to shape understanding and evoke imagination. Harry Potter is as real as black holes. Or take money—a seemingly mundane piece of paper or a digital figure in your bank account. It derives its power from belief. I can exchange a five-Euro note for six beers or three roses because society collectively agrees upon its value. In this way, money is as real as Santa Claus. For many children, writing a letter to Santa Claus or waking to find gifts under the tree validates his presence. By participating in these rituals, parents indirectly confirm his existence.

The question of whether the world is an illusion taps into metaphysical considerations—a metaphysics of being versus one of becoming. As philosopher Karl Popper suggested, metaphysical questions cannot be conclusively proven. Instead, they are answered in ways that are more or less convincing, based on experience—an experience that can include illusions or hallucinations as valid phenomena.

article continues after advertisement

Practically speaking, our metaphysical stance has consequences. A rigid belief in a fixed, predetermined world often fosters a binary mindset: true versus false, right versus wrong. This rigidity may contribute to the divisive tendencies we observe in identity politics, moral exclusivity, and ideological fanaticism.

In contrast, a metaphysics of becoming is more dynamic and humble. It recognizes that potential, movement, hallucinations, and illusions are integral to shaping reality. They actualize possibilities, offering new ways to see and understand the world. Illusions, in this framework, are as impactful as science in driving change and innovation. For example, envisioning a flying car or a utopian society begins with imagining the seemingly impossible.

If life cannot be fully owned or grasped—as I believe—then our task is to create space for that which enriches and animates existence. Illusions, then, are not distractions or deceptions. They are vital forces that compel us to question, explore, and expand what is real.

So, when Mariah Carey sings, “Santa, won’t you bring me the one I really need?”she touches on something profound. It’s not merely a plea for love; it’s an invocation of the transformative power of belief. Santa Claus, like love, hope, and imagination, is as real as we allow him to be. He exists not in the fixed world of objects but in the dynamic realm of possibilities. Through such illusions, we shape our world and make it brighter, fuller, and richer.

First published in Psychology Today