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May 14, 2010 21:19How can we be sure we really exist?Well, this question is more philosophical than scientific. However, how can you explain that you feel like a person although you consist of millions of cells? |
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You don't feel like a person, your brain simply understands the messages it gets from your nerves and because you are used to them you call that feeling : fee like a person . And also you think and understand with your brain and not with each of your cells so you cannot comprehend their individuality .
This thought was the reason that made me to ask this question.
But, this is quite depressing, isn't it file mou? :D
Orfea,
Hmmm.... That's a really interesting question. I'm really curious to find an answer about that, too. But let me ask you, what do you mean by "existing"?
We could not be sure that e.g. an object in front of us actually "exists", because it could be just an impression or a trick of your imagination! But I think you CAN be sure that YOU exist, because you are able to think with your brain, as Rocker in M said. What Descartes said, "I think, therefore I exist" may sound of philosophical matter, but let's think about that.
Let's accept that, whatever we can sense but "doesn't exist", is just an "impression" of our thought. If you are able to think of yourself (something that you can) you either exist or not exist. If you don't exist, then you are only an impression. But this impression is YOUR impression. We may not know exactly which part of our body is able to actually think, but, whatever that is, it exists! I mean, how can someone possibly NOT exist when they are able to think? Others don't know you exist, but YOU know.
I hope I didn't confuse you - Maybe I have just explained the obvious. But is this what you mean or have I missed the subject a bit?
Natalia
You really get the point Natalia and these were my thoughts in the beginning.
Now I remembered a joke from Arka (elpizo na ton eheis diavasei): " Descartes says to an angel when he arrives to paradise: "I think, therefore I exist" and the angel answers: "You don't exist, but don't think of it." " :D
However, by thinking that I exist because I can have an impression of myself, I prove that there is a source from which this impression derives. I don't prove that this impression is MINE ... :D I mean that my cells might have constructed a "thoughts factory", me, so I am something imaginary. I am the auto-pilot of my organism. Rocker_in_M has the same opinion.
It is quite funny discussing something like that. If you have more thoughts please anwer again. :)
"Cogito, ergo sum" - only I can say about this question. I love this phrase very much....
Martyynyyte oti ki an i8les na peis dn ekatalava Xristo :P . Ok back to English : orfea why is it depressing ? I think i know why you said it but i need you to explain it in order to be sure
um... if your organism/cells where that impression derives from can create an impression, they exist, don't they? If your organism exists, why shouldn't you exist?
And yes, I have read Arkas but I didn't remember that one... =P
Let me set it on a different way Natalia. Take the computer as an example. Of course the machine exists. If I give it a problem it will solve it. But, the computer doesn't think although it answers. The computer as a SPIRIT doesn't exist. It just follows a program.
That's the problem. Do we follow a genetic program of our cells or we are something more?
This thought is the depressing partt Rocker in M. :)
Please, don't mention the differences between us and the computer... It was just an example. :)
Well i see, i thought too that our choices are nothing more than the answer of an extremely complex equation concerning the interaction of the molecules in our brain ... Do you believe in fate ? I do in a sense . Consider that every thing around us is ruled by the laws of nature and can be calculated through equations . Now what is special about the equations in general is that they have a specific answer ... so now if our mind is also ruled by equations which have as variables the answers from our background equations then our every action is an answer to those equations and it is specific and it could never be different. Yes it is actually depressing ! :P You know what gives us hope that there might be a spirit? this very conversation ... I don't think a computer would question its existence ;)