"I think, therefore I am."
- Thread starter Griffstar
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Why should the Burden of Proof of your Philosophical query fall on us when the responsibility of existence is dependent on your own consciousness?
Figure it out for yourself you lazy bum.
Figure it out for yourself you lazy bum.
The analogy of the cave.[footnote]This is what I understand to be the analogy of the cave, I have yet to read The Republic so please bare with me and feel free to correct me. I swear, as soon as 1984 is finished I'll be all up in Plato's business.[/footnote]
If prisoners have been strung up on a wall for their entire lives, seeing only shadows projected onto the cave wall, then that is what they know to exist. If they were to stay in the cave forever, then they would only know of that one experience and would define that as existence. They would never know of the world outside the cave or that life is more than shadows until they were freed and could go out and experience the cave.
Similarly, we will only ever know of this existence and won't be able to say that one another doesn't exist without experiencing some other form of existence.
Until someone experiences other existence, then what we know as existence now is all we will ever know. We cannot say that this is not existence because there is no other existence to know of.
If I scale it down a little and swap things around, until you observe[footnote]Observe as in know of them,. You have seen light bounce from them and have experienced them as a physical entity.[/footnote] someone else, you cannot know of their existence and therefore do not exist.
For all you know, I am merely an advanced AI because you have not observed me, because you know nothing of my existence as a physical entity.
If prisoners have been strung up on a wall for their entire lives, seeing only shadows projected onto the cave wall, then that is what they know to exist. If they were to stay in the cave forever, then they would only know of that one experience and would define that as existence. They would never know of the world outside the cave or that life is more than shadows until they were freed and could go out and experience the cave.
Similarly, we will only ever know of this existence and won't be able to say that one another doesn't exist without experiencing some other form of existence.
Until someone experiences other existence, then what we know as existence now is all we will ever know. We cannot say that this is not existence because there is no other existence to know of.
If I scale it down a little and swap things around, until you observe[footnote]Observe as in know of them,. You have seen light bounce from them and have experienced them as a physical entity.[/footnote] someone else, you cannot know of their existence and therefore do not exist.
For all you know, I am merely an advanced AI because you have not observed me, because you know nothing of my existence as a physical entity.
Colorblindness,you by nature see something differently.I exist and I can see that you as well do from your posting.We may see things completely different and not one thing can stop that,but so long as a separated difference in observance exists that not everyone has,there can be no mistake in that no one thing controls us in our mental stimuli indefinitely and therefore,even if controlled,we exist in one manner or another.
How do I know you exist you show yourself as some next on this website. How do I know my neighbours are in all I can do is hear them but who is to say it is just the sound. Who is to say that my world is only what I see at this mention in time and all events just play out as I arrive...I cannot for I can never see around the next corner without getting there.
I exist because at the very least, "I" am this set of thoughts.
Everything else exists because at the very least it is what "I" interpret as sensory input.
Or if I am to prove it to you... you don't actually know if I have a set of thoughts, but in pondering it you know that You do. So therefore you, as defined above, must exist. And because you experience something you perceive as sensory input, "everything else" must also exist, again assuming the above definition. And I am part of "everything else".
Everything else exists because at the very least it is what "I" interpret as sensory input.
Or if I am to prove it to you... you don't actually know if I have a set of thoughts, but in pondering it you know that You do. So therefore you, as defined above, must exist. And because you experience something you perceive as sensory input, "everything else" must also exist, again assuming the above definition. And I am part of "everything else".
I think, therefore I am, not Glenn Beck.
Also, I am sentient. You are also sentient. Everyone on this forum is sentient,
and we have a mutual understandng of what this forum looks like, and we are all
comprehending your message. I'd say consistency of universal experiences
is a pretty decent proof, but I am in no way stating that as a fully cohesive argument.
Also, I am sentient. You are also sentient. Everyone on this forum is sentient,
and we have a mutual understandng of what this forum looks like, and we are all
comprehending your message. I'd say consistency of universal experiences
is a pretty decent proof, but I am in no way stating that as a fully cohesive argument.
Define "you"
Do mean the entirety of the human race?
If so, I'm not qualified to answer this question.
If you are referring to me in general, I'm good.
I exist, because, I am Random.
You cannot know what I'll do before I do it.
This means that you do not dictate my actions.
So, I am obviously not a figment of your illusions.
You cannot learn anything about me that I have the capacity to hide.
This proves that you do not inherently know of my existence.
So, I cannot be the result of your delusional consciousness.
The only option left is that either both of us do not exist, or both of us do exist.
I don't care either way, as I am a figment of my own imagination, typing with the fingers I've stolen from myself, living a shell that I claim is may own.
Disprove that last statement and I will acknowledge that I don't exist.
Do mean the entirety of the human race?
If so, I'm not qualified to answer this question.
If you are referring to me in general, I'm good.
I exist, because, I am Random.
You cannot know what I'll do before I do it.
This means that you do not dictate my actions.
So, I am obviously not a figment of your illusions.
You cannot learn anything about me that I have the capacity to hide.
This proves that you do not inherently know of my existence.
So, I cannot be the result of your delusional consciousness.
The only option left is that either both of us do not exist, or both of us do exist.
I don't care either way, as I am a figment of my own imagination, typing with the fingers I've stolen from myself, living a shell that I claim is may own.
Disprove that last statement and I will acknowledge that I don't exist.
That you would ask us whether we exist belies the idea we don't.Griffstar said:
"I may be talking to a dream or something, though."
Then you confirm our existence as a dream.
And I'd be thrilled if you would say you're dreaming about me, an existential X or not. That's sexy.
Ahem, lucid dreams. You can think and evaluate your experiences during those, Who's to say this isn't just one big one? You could be having a lucid dream right now, in some strange world completely different from the one you think you know. I've had a realistic lucid dream before. Let me tell you that it pretty much feels like being awake. You even perceive pain, just like in real life. Prove this isn't just some gigantic lucid dream, for the one who's dreaming.Zarmi said:
Oh you solipsists are all so adorable. Look how you move around inside your box of existential woe! Whose the only person in the world? Whose the only person in the world? Aww, you can't answer because you don't acknowledge any existence beyond yourself!Griffstar said:
To be fair, a dream is in the domain of the self. You do not get dreams from outside sources, they are a construct of your mind. The paradox, as always, is how can you tell the difference?Blank Verse said: