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by HungryGuy on May 25th, 2005

HungryGuy

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How can I be certain that the universe isn't merely a figment of my imagination?

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  • by neoepiphany on May 27th, 2005

    neoepiphany

    You can't.

    This is the very question that led to Descartes' famous pronouncement: Cogito Ergo Sum. I think, therefore I am.

    The logic is this, much simplified: I am aware of the universe because I perceive it with my senses. However, my senses could be deceived. If I cannot trust my senses to be true, then I cannot be sure that the universe that I perceive is real. If the universe does not exist, how, then, can I be sure that I exist? Because I am thinking--that is how I know I am. Therefore, the only thing I can be 100% sure of is that I exist.

    Your question is a good one, and one that has caused much befuddlement through the centuries. It has led to some fascinating questions, and recently, even some fascinating movies that explore the ability of our sense to be deceived, thrusting us into an unreal universe (The Matrix, eXistenZ, etc.)

    For ease of living, it's probably a good idea to just go with the universe as presented and pretend it's real--at least until a more real universe comes along.

    Comments

    • Very cool

      Crumb Eye

      by Crumb Eye on June 15th, 2005

    • Was that a Nat King Cole reference I heard?

      ...

      by ... on July 11th, 2005

    • I'll pretend this is a great answer.

      Alonzo Garbonzo

      by Alonzo Garbonzo on August 26th, 2005

    • I love how simple it all suddenly seems...

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on November 3rd, 2005

    • Thanks for the answer!

      HungryGuy

      by HungryGuy on January 25th, 2006

    • I thot "Cogito Ergo Sum" meant "Some little gears go 'Rrrrrrrrrrr'." Hmmm, the things ya can learn here.

      notmrjohn

      by notmrjohn on February 21st, 2006

    • Excellent answer, you saved me from having to write that myself!

      Godfather Part II

      by Godfather Part II on June 30th, 2006

    • We could all be asleep, and not be aware of it, then when we die we wake up and the whole process continues. But thats a good anwser you have. YOU CAN'T BE SURE

      ryno365

      by ryno365 on October 10th, 2006

    • Don't even think about it. It might get angry and REALLY become a figment of our imagination, whether you believe it is or not.

      king_zuther

      by king_zuther on October 19th, 2006

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