Originally posted by Mindship
Which brings us back to the topic (well, first post anyway). Decartes was uncertain, and because he doubted, he knew he existed. 😄
He might have assumed he existed. Though I will go so far as to accept this reasoning for myself. Not only doubting but also because apparently I think and perceive things. I would agree that I exist. Though I don't know what "I" is.
Originally posted by Darth Oblivion
I still stand by my theory. Though you may think you exist it is possible that the-whatever it is-is simply making you think you think you exist. Or at least that is what I believe.
In a similar vein, a few times I've been able to ask other "people" in my dreams how it feels to be in my dream. The usual response is what I call a "momentary loss of animation" in their faces.
The point is, you're wondering whether you exist or not, so you exist, because if you didn't exist you wouldn't be able to contemplate it. In whatever reality that may be, you exist.
It could be a world created by a God as a test before you reach the ultimate goal of salvation. It could be a universe with a beginning and an end and you share that finiteness and one day will cease to exist. It could even be the imagination of a world renowned novelist, you still exist in the reality of the novel.
However you look at it, you are able to contemplate your existence, therefore you exist.
Originally posted by Darth Oblivion
I still stand by my theory. Though you may think you exist it is possible that the-whatever it is-is simply making you think you think you exist. Or at least that is what I believe.
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Well, the problem is that alone by your phrasing of that you imply that some sort of "you" exists.
But I totally agree with you. Though I accepted my own existence I know that I can't be sure of it, even if I can not imagine in any way the way i could be, I can imagine that it might be true.