PHIL 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Physicalism, Lightning, Cogito Ergo Sum
Document Summary
Worries about dreaming, demons , and lack of perception are revolved around first person sense. Convinced of possibility that there is no bodies, no sky, no earth - do i exist? - in thinking this, one must exist. As long as i think i am something, i am, i exist . If i"m right in thinking that i exist, then i exist. If i"m deceived in thinking i exist, i exist. Conclusion of existence is first item of knowledge. Existence is not to be put as an argument of proof, it is the first item of knowledge. By committing to doubts, you are committing to your own existence. All situations which give you grounds for doubts force you to commit to your own existence. Cogito demonstrates certainty of do i exist? with existence. I exist - first foundation for knowledge vast array of human knowledge. Counter argument - things that don"t think do exist i. e rocks, trees.