My proof against Descartes statement “Cogito Ergo Sum” more clearly and simply explained.

By well-wisher

Fri, 10 Apr 2015
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5 comments
 

Firstly: There is no such thing as the present, the present is always becoming the past and our thoughts, always becoming remembered thoughts.

Secondly: Every thought that we remember having may be a false memory implanted in our brain.

Thirdly: The only evidence that we have that this is not the case, unreliable as it may be, is the evidence of our senses. (Physical evidence such as my diary and witnesses).

Conclusion: We need the evidence of our senses to confirm that we have ever had a thought.

Objection: But look I’m thinking right now, that proves I can think.

Answer: But you didn’t just think, so you haven’t proven anything.

Objection: Yes I have, I remember thinking…oh now I get what you mean, hey but I’m thinking now.

Answer: No, you didn’t.

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Submitted by Parson Thru on

Ergo, reality only exists in the now.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Parson Thru on

I suppose we use the reality of the "now" to ascertain levels of certainty about anything that went before or anything we predict and put those things beyond reasonable doubt. Just my thoughts, which are almost certainly nonsense.

Parson Thru

Submitted by well-wisher on

But does 'now' really exist?

Sorry, Parson. I was responding to your first post, I hadn't read your second.

In response to your second. I find that I have to have a lot of nonsense thoughts before I arrive at a good one.

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.(link is external)

JoHn

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Most of my best thoughts turn out to have been someone else's.

That's amore! (Dean Martin)

Parson Thru

Submitted by well-wisher on

Oh well, my idea was borrowed from John Locke. I just applied it to Descartes.

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.(link is external)

JoHn