Evil Genius Theorem

One of the most famous thoughts in philosophy is “Cognito Ergo Sum” which means “I think, therefore I am.”

This is mainly in proving if things exist. So how do you know if it exists? If it can’t think, then ‘no it may not exist’, but if it can think, then it does exist. Therefore, we are able to prove that we ourselves exist, but nothing else and no one else (other people’s behavior can only be perceived as behavior-  don’t know if they can actually think themselves, its just something we can assume. )

This also plays into Descartes theory that are senses are deceptive (For example, have you ever mistaken someone for someone else, or thought you smelled flowers when you didn’t, or heard your name being called, when no one did?)

This was said by Rene Descartes- he means that is impossible for him not to exist because he is able to ponder these things in the first place. So, for him, to figure out if something really exists, he must prove it can think. So one night, Descartes thinks,’ what if there is an evil genius controlling my actions and deceiving my mind? How do I know I am correct in my math? How can I be sure that 2=3=5? (Descartes was also a mathematician, so this was extremely troubling to him.)’ While this may sound strange, it is not really an uncommon thought to think that our own thoughts may be deceiving us.

Troubled, Descartes soon came up with a solution: for any idea to be accepted as real, it has to be put there by God, not an evil genius. There is only one way to do this, and that is to prove that God exists. God existing as a all powerful all perfect being would mean that no evil genius could exist because it would not be as powerful as God. Below is Descartes step by step proof, proving that God is real.
Proof:
If you doubt, you are imperfect
knowing of imperfection means you have a concept of perfection
a concept of perfection can only originate from something perfect

So in closing, we are most likely not being constantly deceived by a powerful evil genius, based on the proof that God is real. Everyone can sleep tonight, and be confident that they, in fact, do exist (even though Descartes  is still unsure that anything other than himself exists.)

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