"I think, therefore I am."

[Griffstar]

Prove to me that you and everything else exists.

-snip-
Thanks for warming me up for my essay.

Actually, thank you for posting. I had quite a good time reading that. And I have no intention of stealing any of it.

 

[Declan Skews]

Prove to me that you and everything else exists.

*edit*
Since some people don't read the reply's of this thread, I shall edit this to make it clear.
I made this thread for challenge purposes ONLY. I'm doing a report on it at school and I'm looking for responses from you guys. Sorry, I should of made it more clear.
*edit*

"Bibo ergo sum" (if I got that right) - I drink therefore I am

Does it matter if we exist? We couldn't percieve something unless it existed. Therefore everything you have ever thought about exists. Even fictional characters ect. as they exist in our imagination (by which I mean we know of them) and therefore we can say they exist as, if they didn't, then we wouldn't think about them.

For example:
Think of a brand new, fictional character who doesn't exist. And bam, he/she/it now exists. Why? Because you made it exist by the mere act of thinking about it. Thats not to say you could walk down the street and meet said character, but it still exists in your head/memories/thoughts. So even if this world turns out to be some kind of Matrix-esque VR then it, and by extension we, still exist. Just not perhaps as physical/solid beings.

Anyway the answer is moot as this is the reality we live in, therefore if there is some hidden truth that proves that we do not in fact exist, then we are A) Doomed to be an existential paradox and B) Be forced to accept that we "don't exist" and just carry on with our lives. If we are just computer programs or the imaginings of some being then it really doesn't matter because there is nothing we can do about it. Probably. I mean we could just bust out of the beings ear or something but somehow, I don't think that is going to happen.

 

[Superhyperactiveman]

You can't prove a self-evident fact to someone not willing to accept it. I exist. There's no reason to believe I don't. If you don't believe it at this point, no logical arguement will convince you.

 

[-Ulven-]

http://www.philosophersnet.com/games/matrix_start.htm

Try me.

 

[Paksenarrion]

Prove to me that you and everything else exists.

Easy. Midichlorians.

 

[Blank Verse]

Prove to me that you and everything else exists.

That you would ask us whether we exist belies the idea we don't.

"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.

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?

You missed the final sentences I typed. "Then you confirm our existence as a dream," or, "We are a dream. We exist as a dream. Therefore we exist."

Proving whether someone exists outside of one's sentience hasn't been done. Yet look at the quotation in my previous statement. "Prove to me..." is an imperative. An imperative sentence (or a command) can only be given from one being to another, otherwise the purpose of a command is pointless-- a will must be had in order to be commanded. A will must exist to be commanded. Those things with wills? Beings.

To ask people whether the exist is to imply their existence in the first place. For an argument, it's analytically answerable.

Edit 1: I forgot a t.

 

[Mr spank]

Do andriods dream of electric sheep?


now that a question i'd like to know the answer to. can artificial intelligence dream like the human mind?

i love Blade Runner, and Philp K. Dick's book.

 

[Aetera]

That quote always reminds me of my favorite nerdy joke.

Renee Descartes walks into a bar. The bartender asks if he wants his usual, and Descartes repies, "no, I think not", and promptly disappears.

To answer your question, I have thoughts, and are aware of them. My mind, thus, exists, and is the only thing that I can be absolutely sure of.

 

[Zechnophobe]

You missed the final sentences I typed. "Then you confirm our existence as a dream," or, "We are a dream. We exist as a dream. Therefore we exist."

It was your final sentence I was addressing actually. 'existing as a dream' is a contradiction, at least for most definitions of Exist. Just because you imagine something, doesn't means it exists.

 

[SilentCom]

Cogito Ergo Sum
Dubito Ergo Sum

That's the best I can do and I know it does not answer your question.

 

[Cazza]

All I can do is prove to myself I exist. Exactly what Iam I only can only guess. Human? Advanced AI? Though most likily just plain old human.

I think not and disappear.

 

[Realitycrash]

Aah...The age old philisophical question. Are we simply brains in a jar,recieving digital stimulus,or are we truly as we precieve ourselves to be? There is no way to know for certain,except through death.

And why would death be more real than life? How do you know that the afterlife is real?

For if we die,we'll then realize if our lives were illusionary. If they weren't illusions,then we have an afterlife. If they are an illusion,then theres...Nothing.

And how would you know that your afterlife is not an illusion? How would you know you have actually died?