Does Thinking Prove Existence?

[lawtonfogle]

maybe i can disprove that i do not exist. so then i must exist. give to me ur standard of which some thing is poven to exist.

IN the end, it comes down to faith, hope (and love, though this has nothing to do with the rest)

 

[The Rev]

Of course I exist. I'm posting, aren't I?

$$i$$

The Rev

 

[<<<GUILLE>>>]

maybe i can disprove that i do not exist. so then i must exist. give to me ur standard of which some thing is poven to exist.

IN the end, it comes down to faith, hope (and love, though this has nothing to do with the rest)

yes, there we both agree, it is a quetion of faith, as well as everything else in the end. And this does scares a lot.

But I always think that if there is always something of one side, then everyhing automatically passes to be or to start the opposite side. I mean, that if everything is hope, then hope isn't hope, but it's opposite, which is the opposite of hope? I'km not really sure of knowing it, someone else? It is also one of the demostration I use to against god, (I knoe it has nothing to do with this, but...) because everything is imperfect, then everything is perfect, but is there is something perfect where everything else is inperfect, then nothing is perfect and everything becomes ilogical and the unvierse would autodestroy. but as god doesn't exist, we are ok.

 

[P-a-u-l]

I believe the author of the thread wanted to ask us people if we can prove to him that we exist. Thus, the answer "yes, I can prove I exist" is valid, but only if you're trying to prove it to yourself; If the one who answered wants to prove his existence to the rest of us, he'll have to make some explanations.

About pinching, cutting off fingers and etc.,
If you cut someone's finger and he'll scream in pain, that doesn't prove that you exist; it only proves that that certain man is able to feel pain.
He can easily say that his optical receptors detect a shape of a man with a knife in his hand cutting off what he knows is his finger and he can also say that he, simultaneously, feels pain.

The fact is that I may be a brain in a jar, with some wires connected to me which make me see, feel, smell, touch and hear reality.
Thus, everything else may be the product of my brain, including you or my hand pinching my body.

Another variant of this issue is: that everything exists as I know it, except that you are nothing more than automatons; robots, figments of my imagination, etc. Your bodies may well exist, but your minds are just dead.
Thus, if you prove that you think, you prove that you exist, as a mind.
This is the issue that Descartes, I believe, addressed.

My response to the question at hand is this:
I will use Ockam's Blade to prove that this is the "real reality" and that there is no other reality.

We know some things about the Universe - we know that it has a beginning, we know how life has appeared, we know how man has appeared, we know how man dies and why he dies and we know how the Universe will end (note that when we know that a human being physically dies, then, necessarily, we know that that human being also mentally dies).

If this weren't the "real reality", and I am, in fact, a brain in a jar, then I also have to prove (or at least, think about) how I have ended up in that jar, what kind of technology is used to make me believe that this is reality and the agencies that are doing this to me.
This, would just overcomplicate things - I'd be in the position to deny this entire Universe (which we have knowledge about) and then justify the existence of a new, more complex one.
Thus, there is only a small chance that this reality isn't the "real" one.

The only variant of the issue left out is the one that says that all of this is real except the fact that the rest of the people do not have a mind of their own.

About this I'd say that it's common sense to accept that we all think alike, act alike, and live alike.
Thus, if I say that you people are brain dead, then I have to alternatives:
Either I'm brain dead too (because I live my life just like the others do) or that you brain dead people are very good copies of me.
Now, I know that I have a brain (the physical part of my mind) - it functions through electrical impulses, carbon and may other types of substances - it's easy to prove that I have a brain by going to the neurologist and having him examen my brain.
I also know that the rest of the people have a brain and that their brain functions just the way mine functions - electrical impulses and etc.

Thus, there are a number of premises:
There cannot be another reality.
I act just like everybody else does.
I have a brain just like every body else does.

My conclusion, therefore, would be that you people are as real as I am.

I suspect that this argument has many faults, and I wouldn't mind if anybody points them out.

P.S. I haven't read the whole thread to see whether these facts have already been said, so, I'm sorry if you see your own words in my post.

 

[LindaGarrette]

The scientific method doesn't assume there is proof of anything, only uncontested evidence. If my hypothesis is that I exist, I must pose the null hypothesis that I don't and show evidence to the contrary. Since I am physical evidence, observable and testable, that I exist, the null hypothesis is proven false and the theory is accepted.

 

[Myriad209]

Maybe reality is simply brought about by consciousness and senses. If you've never heard sound before how could you really be sure it exists. If you've never seen anything before how could you really be sure it exists etc. Sense is the most fundamental aspect of reality (you can't describe to person without eyes what blue 'looks' like).

When you take away consciousness and all your senses, in your perspective, you no longer exist. Although someone seeing you dead, you seem to clearly exist.

 

[eNathan]

Oh no here we go again. This is my theory...

You can only prove that you exists -- however, you cannot prove anything around you exists.

I have though this out a lot, and this is the best I can come up with.

 

[Huckleberry]

Microburst: If I run up to you on the street and (in a fit of rage) I bite off your little finger, how much more real is it if you think I bit off your finger vs. you believe I bit off your finger?

Has anyone heard of the phenomenon of the phantom limb? Amputees can sometimes feel pain in a part of a limb that has been removed. One example I heard of was a man who felt that his hand was clenching and he was unable to unclench it. It was causing him physical pain in the place where his hand would have been if it were still attached. In order to cure the man's pain a mirror box was created. He would put his arms in the box (both the real one and the phantom arm) and the image of the existing hand was reflected to the empty part of the box containing the man's phantom arm. He clenched and unclenched his real arm and the image of his phantom arm would imitate the movements. This gave the man relief from his pain because he could believe that his phantom limb was unclenching.

So biting off a person's finger, or punching them in the nose does not prove or disprove existence. It is not necessary to have a physical cause to create a sense of touch. I think the same holds true for all the senses. (not sure about smell) A person can see things that are not real, hear things that make no real sound, touch things that aren't there and taste things that they have never eaten. They are all just sensory input into a complex chemical system we call our brains.

The question to prove we exist is to prove that what our brain is telling us is real or not. I can't think of a way to do this. For all practical purposes I assume that I exist and take that as a pretty good theory. If a person does not exist then who can prove that anything exists? Science doesn't exist. Your parents don't exist. Our senses sense things that we can not prove exist. Reality, to me, is a general social consensus on what we choose to define as real. A sort of majority rules.

I'm still jumping out of the way the next time a truck comes barrelling down the road at me while I'm trying to cross it. If I ever find an answer to this question then maybe I'll just stand there and wait for it.

edit- Now that I think about, smell can also perceive scents that do not exist. Tumors in the brain can create symptoms of strange smells that have no real cause.

 

[Math Is Hard]

Has anyone heard of the phenomenon of the phantom limb? Amputees can sometimes feel pain in a part of a limb that has been removed. One example I heard of was a man who felt that his hand was clenching and he was unable to unclench it. It was causing him physical pain in the place where his hand would have been if it were still attached. In order to cure the man's pain a mirror box was created. He would put his arms in the box (both the real one and the phantom arm) and the image of the existing hand was reflected to the empty part of the box containing the man's phantom arm. He clenched and unclenched his real arm and the image of his phantom arm would imitate the movements. This gave the man relief from his pain because he could believe that his phantom limb was unclenching.

I find things like this fascinating. It's as if the mind has to re-learn the body to adjust.

So biting off a person's finger, or punching them in the nose does not prove or disprove existence. It is not necessary to have a physical cause to create a sense of touch. I think the same holds true for all the senses. (not sure about smell) A person can see things that are not real, hear things that make no real sound, touch things that aren't there and taste things that they have never eaten. They are all just sensory input into a complex chemical system we call our brains.

In my response I was only asking for clarification to Microburst's desire to edit the original wording of Descartes:
"I think therefore I am" is wrong, it should be… “I believe therefore I am”..."
What does he really mean when he suggests there is this difference in "think" and "believe"? In the example of physical pain, I do not say "I think I am in pain" and I do not say "I believe I am in pain". Either I am in pain or I am not.

Aside from that, Descartes was trying to express that if he could shut out all his senses, he still could not stop his thinking. Thus the only thing he knew for certain is that he was a "thinking thing." To me, it does not really make any more sense in this case for Descartes to have said "I am a believing thing". A thinking thing could still have distrust of it's own thoughts and not believe them, yet be aware of that it was having these thoughts, believable or not.

The question to prove we exist is to prove that what our brain is telling us is real or not. I can't think of a way to do this. For all practical purposes I assume that I exist and take that as a pretty good theory. If a person does not exist then who can prove that anything exists? Science doesn't exist. Your parents don't exist. Our senses sense things that we can not prove exist. Reality, to me, is a general social consensus on what we choose to define as real. A sort of majority rules.

Well, sure, there's always that teeny tiny chance that you are a brain in a vat and everything you experience is being fed to you a la Matrix. But the least complicated explanation is that this is not the case and that you actually have a body and senses and are interacting with an environment.

 

[Huckleberry]

Hi MIH

I knew what you meaned by the finger biting rage. I just wanted to use it as an example of how something does not have to be real in order to be experienced. How could I ignore the funniest thing in this thread?

Hmm, brain in a vat? That does seem very unlikely. I'll still choose the red pill anyday.

 

[Math Is Hard]

I knew what you meaned by the finger biting rage. I just wanted to use it as an example of how something does not have to be real in order to be experienced. How could I ignore the funniest thing in this thread?

It all seemed funny at the time, but I think plover is still scared of me to this day.

 

[1+1=only1]

The whole universe is based on probability, if you believe quantum theory and string theory and the current scientific perception of the universe. So, proof beyond a shadow of doubt is impossible, but proof beyond reasonable doubt is possible. From all the evidence presented, I know most probably that I exist and I'm perceiving a universe that isn't just a figment of my imagination or our collective imaginations. And because other individuals have come to similar conclusions, I believe they are just like me and have the same belief in self existence that I do. So I've proven to myself beyond reasonable doubt that you exist. And since I am you parading around with a different set of eyes, then I have now proven to you (you have proven to me) beyond reasonable doubt that more than likely I (you) exist. If you're not quite sure what I mean by "I am you", look over my recent posts within a different thread.

 

[disturbed1]

existence, reality, and information

reality or existence which seem related to me, can be measured and confirmed by cubing information. I like the number 3. this leads to a very accurate perception of reality and existence. of course tools that are used to measure the information directly relate to its accuracy. Would you say that there is only so much information in this universe. could this number be increased, obviously never decreased. Perhaps some leaking of information from another universe. could this be the bible.
Reality is closely related. reality holds true information while we try to grasp it's real value. Reality is kinda trapped in time, and holds time constant. even information, speed of light, energy can influence but cannot change reality. Reality is at the tiniest measurement of time and is left in information.
I believe that information is a higher tool which is measured and left behind in the universe from energy and intelligence, over a period of time. information and energy can directly increase time value of the universe and life.
Would you not say that as we speak the universe is on a collision course for the end of time as the universe we know. Well, using information and energy the time of the universe supporting life could be increased. this sounds so out of reach but is true. the same proves true for life. with an increase of information and energy the life span of human beings has dramatically increased in the past century.
I would be interested to see if life span was increased by potential energy by traveling at high speeds. Perhaps life's biological clock would act different. Perhaps this could also lengthen the time of the universe.
I find it hard to believe that the speed of light will slow down time. Wouldn't this mean that time was slowed down all around us, as we are surrounded by light in the day time. I find it hard to believe in time travel as I see time as a constant dimension.

Please reply interested parties for chat
tks

 

[Rade]

I hold that Descarte has the logic backwards, the correct form of the argument is:
I am (that is I exist as a thing), thus I think
I hold that Descarte errors because a "thought" cannot be primary unless it first is a "thing" that exists. Now, if thinking is a "thing" that exists then Descartes argument is reduced to "I Am therefore I Am", which is a useless tautology. And if thinking is not a "thing" then by definition it cannot be primary, that is, a "no-thing" cannot come before a "thing", or stated otherwise, some-thing cannot come from no-thing.
This is called the argument from the Primacy of Existence, as opposed to the argument of Descarte (and many others) that hold the Primacy of Consciousness (that place thinking outside and prior to existence). From the argument of the primacy of existence, one must (by definition) hold the concept of existence as an axiomatic concept, one must take the position that: Existence Exists. And because this is an axiomatic given under this philosophy it cannot be logically discussed, it is just accepted, and then one develops their metaphysics and epistomology from this starting point. All philosophies MUST begin with these types of fundamental axiomatic concepts. Of course, YOU may not hold this type of philosophy, but then, this is what makes philosophy so interesting to study. For those that what to study a philosophy that starts from the Primacy of Existence read Ayn Rand.
On a personal note, I came to realize that I Am, that I Exist, not by thinking, but at the moment of my personal Existential Moment, which happened when I was about 11 years of age. For those that do not know this term, it is when you also have a feeling of being very small, usually happens before teenage years. Thus my personal experience proves (to me) that Descarte was incorrect since the perception of my existential moment came to me (to my consciousness) from my uncounscious, I did not think it (nor myself) into existence. My uncounscious informed my conscious that "I Am" during my existential moment and also at the same time informed that I AM one very small thing in a very much larger reality of many things. Now you can take this experience two ways, concentrate on the fact that you are small and like some Existentialists you kill yourself, or, concentrate on the fact that YOU EXIST and then go on with your life and follow your bliss.
Thus to answer the question of this thread, I hold that yes, one does prove to themself that they exist at the time and place when they experience their existential moment. Now I wonder if those that have never experienced their existential moment are those that look for prove of existence outside themself, perhaps in the supernatural ?

 

[disturbed1]

did you not exist before your existial moment. I'm sure other people that known of their existence would have known of your existence before you did. thus you did existe without knowing in your own mind.

 

[Nomy-the wanderer]

I've heard the phrase "I think therefore I am" as a proof of existence, but I do not find that very sound (and i think i heard that Descartes didn't exactly say that phrase).
I believe that because we have the ability to think, either by free will or not, then we have to exist. Even if we are in a "Matrix" setting or if we are all a figment of someone else's imgination. We exist in some form, maybe just not in the reality we perceive.
Jameson

The reality is what we can concieve of, if we can concieve of our existence and others around us, and this is what we perceive as reality...Which doesn't have to be similar to others realities..

The key is that we all seem to be having common images of reality, except for a few that we may call diseased sometimes...

I guess proving my existence isn't about philosophy it's more of a litteral question, if i said i am then i do exist...The question could be more about the existence of the other compositions of the reality i can perceive...

 

[Rade]

did you not exist before your existial moment. I'm sure other people that known of their existence would have known of your existence before you did. thus you did existe without knowing in your own mind.

Yes, I agree, for only something that exists can have an existential moment. My point is that I "really" did not know the fact of my existence (or even think about the possibility) with 100 % certainty until the time of my existential moment. Even today, it is the only fact of reality that I hold with 100 % certainty...e.g., my existence. For example, I have no way to know for sure if you or anyone else exists, perhaps 99.99 % sure, but not 100 % sure (let us hope my wife is not reading this ), but I am trying to deal with the philosophy of the question asked. Recall that the name of this thread is " CAN YOU PROVE YOU EXIST " ? I hold that the answer is yes for anyone that has experienced their existential moment...this is my hypothesis open to falsification. Outside this hypothesis, I hold that it is not possible to "prove" you exist, in specific I reject the Cognito argument of Descarte, which many hold is a logical prove of their existence (see my previous post).

 

[nameless]

CAN YOU PROVE YOU EXIST " ? I hold that the answer is yes for anyone that has experienced their existential moment...this is my hypothesis open to falsification.

I'm not sure how someone's personal, subjective experience can be 'falsified'. I posit it cannot. It is 'truth' for them. As your experience is 'truth' for you. One cannot 'prove' one's 'independent' existence. One can only 'believe', have 'faith'...
'Flatus ergo sum' is just as intellectually ridiculous (or valid) as cogito... 'Cogito ergo cogito' (or Sum ergo sum?) is really all that can be truly said on the subject, and even then there can be 'qualifications'. Funny how we accept 'bumpersticker wisdom' without much thought as long as it has 'been around awhile'. *__-

 

[Rade]

I'm not sure how someone's personal, subjective experience can be 'falsified'. I posit it cannot...

You make a good point since introspection (e.g., as defined from link below: Introspection is the direct observation or rumination of one's own heart, mind and/or soul and its processes, as opposed to extrospection, the observation of things external to one's self.) is held to be outside the scientific method, as I read from this link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introspection. However, I also read that some scientists do conduct research on introspective psychology:
Cognitive psychology accepts the use of the scientific method, but rejects introspection as a valid method of investigation. It should be noted that Herbert Simon and Allen Newell identified the 'thinking-aloud' protocol, in which investigators view a subject engaged in introspection, and who speaks his thoughts aloud, thus allowing study of his introspection.

One cannot 'prove' one's 'independent' existence. One can only 'believe', have 'faith'...

Of course, this is the topic of this thread, and this then is your hypothesis, and you may very well be correct. But, I would like to hear your logical argument as to why YOU cannot prove that YOU exist, not just your statement that it is not possible. Clearly, Descarte provided a logical argument that he could prove he did exist, which I post below from Wikipedia, since there is much confusion (even my own) on what he did and did not say as evidenced from many posts on this thread:
The phrase "cogito ergo sum" is not used in Descartes' most important work, the Meditations on First Philosophy, but the term "the cogito" is (often confusingly) used to refer to it. Descartes' felt that this earlier phrase, which he had used in the Discourse, had been misleading in its implication that he was appealing to an inference, so he changed it to "I am, I exist" (also often called "the first certainty" in order to avoid the term "cogito").
At the beginning of the second meditation, having reached what he considers to be the ultimate level of doubt – his argument from the existence of a deceiving god – Descartes examines his beliefs to see if any has survived the doubt. In his belief in his own existence he finds it: it is impossible to doubt that he exists. Even if there were a deceiving god (or an evil demon, the tool he uses to stop himself sliding back into ungrounded beliefs), his belief in his own existence would be secure, for how could he be deceived unless he existed in order to be deceived?
"But I have convinced myself that there is absolutely nothing in the world, no sky, no earth, no minds, no bodies. Does it now follow that I too do not exist? No: if I convinced myself of something [or thought anything at all] then I certainly existed. But there is a deceiver of supreme power and cunning who is deliberately and constantly deceiving me. In that case I too undoubtedly exist, if he is deceiving me; and let him deceive me as much as he can, he will never bring it about that I am nothing so long as I think that I am something. So, after considering everything very thoroughly, I must finally conclude that the proposition, I am, I exist, is necessarily true whenever it is put forward by me or conceived in my mind." (AT VII 25; CSM II 16–17)
There are two important notes to keep in mind here. First, he only claims the certainty of his own existence from the first-person point of view — he has not proved the existence of other minds at this point. This is something that has to be thought through by each of us for ourselves, as we follow the course of the meditations. Secondly, he is not saying that his existence is necessary; he is saying that if he's thinking, then he necessarily exists (see the instantiation principle).
It should also be noted that Descartes does not use this first certainty, the cogito, as a foundation upon which to build further knowledge; rather, it is the firm ground upon which he can stand as he works to restore his beliefs.

 

[nameless]

Cognitive psychology accepts the use of the scientific method, but rejects introspection as a valid method of investigation.

Perhaps the new 'science' of 'cognitive psychology' rejects introspection as a valid methof of investigation, but the 'enlightened' sages throughout the millennia know differently.

..extrospection, the observation of things external to one's self.

Impossible. What you 'observe' is still within 'mind'. It is not at the moment possible to ever know whether there exists anything beyond 'self', beyond 'mind'.

Of course, this is the topic of this thread, and this then is your hypothesis, and you may very well be correct. But, I would like to hear your logical argument as to why YOU cannot prove that YOU exist, not just your statement that it is not possible.

Please see my reply to your same question, Rade, https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?p=823609#post823609"

Descartes examines his beliefs to see if any has survived the doubt. In his belief in his own existence he finds it: it is impossible to doubt that he exists.

What religious claptrap! "I 'BELIEVE' in <fill in the blank> and therefor it is impossible to doubt <fill in the blank>"... What kind of scientist/philosopher finds anything 'impossible to doubt'?? Balderdash!

I think that Descartes was 'handicapped' by the lack of real science and personal understanding in what is meant by 'existence'. If all dreams, all fantasies, concepts, constructs, imaginations 'exist', and are granted Reality by that 'existence', then yes.. everything imaginable 'exists'. This is, by the definitions that I understand, ridiculous. Simply put something under the 'microscope of modern science', something Descartes had no access to, all the 'hard matter' dissolves into nothing. No structure, no reality. Nothing. He was obviously unable to see to such a depth.
Buddha could.

There are two important notes to keep in mind here. First, he only claims the certainty of his own existence from the first-person point of view — he has not proved the existence of other minds at this point.

He claims a 'religious-like' certainty, entirely subjective, and lacking in real evidence. He has proved nothing.

This is something that has to be thought through by each of us for ourselves, as we follow the course of the (OUR) meditations.

Ideally, yes!

Secondly, he is not saying that his existence is necessary; he is saying that if he's thinking, then he necessarily exists

Again, the 'definition' of 'existence' as HE uses it might be helpful. With my definition, his conclusion is non-sequitur.
If the person 'existing' within my dream at night 'thinks', therefore, does he 'exist'?
There's that definition problem again.

It should also be noted that Descartes does not use this first certainty, the cogito, as a foundation upon which to build further knowledge; rather, it is the firm ground upon which he can stand as he works to restore his beliefs.

This sounds too 'religious' to deserve reference in a serious conversation.
A person is entitled to believe whatever he wishes, but that belief aught not be subject to scientific scrutiny. It is not appropriate. Just look at the religious threads here; name calling, derision, rejection, mean laughter, dismissal... is what happens WHENEVER 'belief', of anything, is subject to the 'light' of 'critical reason'.
A 'theist' grasps at anything to validate his 'beliefs. A scientist sees what he sees and tries to explain and understans, at least until further evidence might alter that 'vision'/hypothesis.
Descartes sounds a bit 'desperate'.

So, please, your personal understandings and thoughts have more 'weight' here with me than Descartes. You can elucidate so I can understand your meanings, he cannot, and from what I know, his 'understanding' is inferior and not of importance to me.
Sorry if he is some sort of 'sacred cow', but they DO make the best burgers! *__-

 

[-Job-]

I think it's likely that I'm unconscious every "very often" for a very short period of time, say every pico or femto-second. The physical process responsible for consciousness (whichever that is) must come from the interaction of matter, and that can't be continuous. I could come up with a proof as to why i exist, but in the process of writing that proof i would have been unconscious a very large number of times so i wouldn't take it seriously.

 

[octelcogopod]

I would think that just being able to say out loud(or think) the sentence "I exist" is proof enough.

 

[-Job-]

Except of course when you happen to have some headphones on blasting out some tune, or you have an earworm and can't stop thinking about a song.

 

[octelcogopod]

Except of course when you happen to have some headphones on blasting out some tune.

Haha.. That's analogous to the old saying "if a tree falls in the forest but noones around.." type thing.

But truth is, I think it's a silly question to begin with.. Just take a look around, listen to your own thoughts, and you will realize that a lot of "stuff" exists.
If me or you or anything truly do not exist, then there's no difference between that universe, and the universe we perceive to be in now.

 

[Tom McCurdy]

-

That who exists?

 

[nameless]

The physical process responsible for consciousness (whichever that is)...

What an amazing thing to hear! I was under the impression that it is within Mind/Consciousness that the 'material world' exists solely and temporarily within. Perhaps we mean different things when we use the term 'Consciousness'? Same as awareness? As in conscious awareness? Like one doesn't have when asleep? But there is always some extent of Consciousness aware, and no one can say whether or not 'it' begins with or dies with the body.
Hypotheses abound, though.
If, perchance, it doesn't, than that in itself would be a good arguement, among many, that 'Consciousness' is not materially dependent and is unaffected by any'thing' in the whole damn 'hologramic omniverse'!
After all, there is nothing in a dream at night that can hurt the dreamer.
Dreams are within 'Mind'.
We are 'dreams' within Mind.
We have no more and no less 'existence' than that.

 

[nameless]

That who exists?

Hahahahaha..
Quite a timely question!
Who indeed?!
Thank you.
*__-

 

[-Job-]

My definition of consciousness is the traditional one.
I'm obviously assuming that consciousness is entirely dependent on the interaction of matter, which i believe is an appropriate default. It's an assumption i have to make otherwise i'll find myself having to believe a lot of other things which are not verifiable at the moment. We might even say "consciousness is a property of a physical system which is structured in this or that way", unorthodox as it might sound, i have no reason to expect otherwise. This i think is feasible, considering that the human nervous system is an authentic loop, when your brain sends signals to the muscles in your hand, causing it to move in some fashion, as the hand moves, the skin in that hand is stretched, the pressure of which causes neuron receptors in your skin to fire. Similarly, when you wave your hand in front of your eyes, the hand waving is detected through vision. It's as if you had a network of neurons extending from your hand connecting it directly to your eye. If you really had such a network connecting all of your outputs directly with your inputs and you were attempting to determine which portion of this extended brain is generating consciousness, you'd very probably consider the new networks we've just added just as much as the rest of the brain, or the system as a whole. Of course these new networks are implemented not with neurons but with general physics, so in explaining consciousness we may have to consider the immediate environment of the being. In my opinion, there's plenty of potential for a theory on consciousness, as being generated by physical processes, to be developed.

 

[nameless]

My definition of consciousness is the traditional one.
I'm obviously assuming that consciousness is entirely dependent on the interaction of matter, which i believe is an appropriate default.

As you choose.

It's an assumption i have to make otherwise i'll find myself having to believe a lot of other things which are not verifiable at the moment.

So you are saying that if the road to 'Truth/Understanding' is 'difficult' or 'unfamiliar' or requires 'too much thought', thast you will 'prefer' the 'easier' road?

We might even say "consciousness is a property of a physical system which is structured in this or that way", unorthodox as it might sound, i have no reason to expect otherwise.

Is a 'stastical probability' not enough reason to at least look into the 'difficult' corner? No new world views come from 'more of the same' thinking...

This i think is feasible, considering that the human nervous system is an authentic loop,

Exactly so! That is the problem with using it as a referrence for 'Reality' beyond the loop. Just the same intellectual fallacy as "How do I know that the Bible is true? It says so in the Bible." Nonsense.

... are implemented not with neurons but with general physics, so in explaining consciousness we may have to consider the immediate environment of the being.

General (classical) physics is incapable of study of consciousness as it has deliberately excluded it, traditionally. They will either have to 'come up to speed', or become lost in their own paradoxes that arise from an incomplete 'set'. QM is much more fruitful here, but it will be impossible to remain a 'materialist' the deeper your understanding of QM.

In my opinion, there's plenty of potential for a theory on consciousness, as being generated by physical processes, to be developed.

Possibly. Funny that it hasn't as of yet...
Are you implying that 'Consciousness' is physical?

 

[Rade]

I was under the impression that it is within Mind/Consciousness that the 'material world' exists solely and temporarily within.

I just found this statement and would like to expand the discussion. You seem to be using the argument "the moon does not exist outside some living "mind". That is, first we have a living mind that can grasp a material object such as the moon, it is grasped, then it (object) exists. But, the knowledge gained via science tells us with near 99.99999 % certainty (although I agree science never allows 100 % certainty) that the moon as a material object existed long before any "minds" evolved on Earth to grasp it, so I would suggest that your impression is false, that is, the existence of the moon as a material object is not contingent on a living mind--but perhaps I do not understand your impression ?

 

[nameless]

But, the knowledge gained via science tells us with near 99.99999 % certainty (although I agree science never allows 100 % certainty)

Once upon a time, Rade, science was just as sure that the Earth was flat, that the Earth was at the center of the universe, that 'effect' was 'caused', that gravity and time were constants and rotten meat transmogrified into maggots and on, ad nauseum. So, I'm not all that impressed with what classical sciences (in isolation) are 99.99999% 'agreed upon' at anyone time, because the numbers DO change. That little .00001% has shown, at times, to be the case, after all, as knowledge and understanding and wisdom is gained.

that the moon as a material object existed long before any "minds" evolved on Earth to grasp it, so I would suggest that your impression is false, that is, the existence of the moon as a material object is not contingent on a living mind--but perhaps I do not understand your impression ?

You cannot prove your assertion, can you? I'd love to hear (and critique) it!
Perhaps a deliberate up to date study on the matter might save you some embarasment before exhibiting the 'arrogance' to suggest that my understanding is 'false'. You have offered no evidence to validate your claim that what I say is false. Neither can you.. I think that you would have a very difficult time (read: impossible) proving the 'existence' of something 'beyond' it's conceptualization within mind. It has never been proven or even evidenced that there is anything 'out there' beyond mind, as you can in no way ever get outside 'mind' to 'objectively' 'know' anything!
This is eloquently described even understandable to the most deluded 'materialist' on numerous sites all over the web.
We, Rade, have already been 'around this corner'. You believe what you wish and evidence be damned. While you were waving that idiot Rand around like a crucifix, did you ever read the 'elegant and thorough refutation' of her work that I offered you?
I have 'expounded' quite thoroughly all over this site regarding this matter, and if you are really interested in a view from my perspective, you have an open invitation.

I suggest that yes, perhaps you do not understand my perspective. You are welcome, though, to make the attempt to do so. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. But be warned, if you actually accomplish 'understanding', you won't return to 'Den of Obsolescent Delusional Concepts and Notions' again.

Bye the bye, Rade, as per this thread's title, you obviously think that you can prove that you exist to yourself (satisfies the ego), do you think that you would be able to prove your 'existence', while answering all relevant criticisms, to me?

 

[quantumcarl]

I Drink / Therefore I Am

I drink, therefore I am.

 

[kant]

I've heard the phrase "I think therefore I am" as a proof of existence, but I do not find that very sound (and i think i heard that Descartes didn't exactly say that phrase).
I believe that because we have the ability to think, either by free will or not, then we have to exist. Even if we are in a "Matrix" setting or if we are all a figment of someone else's imgination. We exist in some form, maybe just not in the reality we perceive.
Jameson

The problem with this self-existence proof rely on the self. It is too damn referential, and when things are too damn referential, it is a pain in the ass. We can go on and on my the role of biology on our consciousness, or come up with stupid questions like "am i the same person today as i was yesterday?".

 

[Rade]

You cannot prove your assertion, can you? I'd love to hear (and critique) it!...you obviously think that you can prove that you exist to yourself ...to prove your 'existence', while answering all relevant criticisms, to me? ...think that you would have a very difficult time (read: impossible) proving the 'existence' of something 'beyond' it's conceptualization within mind. It has never been proven or even evidenced that there is anything 'out there' beyond mind, as you can in no way ever get outside 'mind' to 'objectively' 'know' anything!

The statements above concerning "prove" demonstrate a lack of understanding of the knowledge gained via the scientific method. "Proof" of anything outside the mind is not possible via science...where did you conclude from anything I posted that it is possible ? As to proof of my existence for me, as you will recall, I indicated that the proof came from my existential moment--thus, the purpose of this thread, to discuss possible "proof" that one exists--. For me, the "proof" was an internal proof of my mind (uncounsciousness) interacting with my mind (consciousness), and thus of course I cannot "prove" such to anyone--it is what I know to be true via the evidence provided (very suddenly and without volition) by the sense of the uncounsciousness. As to external proof of reality, it is not the goal of the scientific method to "prove" anything, but to "falsify". Now, you seem to suggest that nothing exists outside the human mind, and you seem to not only suggest that these things cannot be proved to exist (a position I would agree with since such is not the way of science), but that logically they do not exist (a position I do not agree with). Thus, suppose all human minds cease to exist at 6:33 tomorrow morning, you then hold that the universe is both materially and logically gone by 6:34...correct ? I find such a philosophy to be nonsense, because we know from physics that many isotopes have 1/2 lives much longer than the period of time the human mind has existed on the earth. The uranium isotope was not formed by any "consciousness" -- why would you expect that any rational human would hold such to be even 0.0001 % possible ? Yet, it is clear that this is in fact your philosophy--so be it, you are welcome to your belief. But, perhaps you hold that the human mind did not originate on the earth, but even so, even if we hold that some mind--some consciousness is older than the Earth (or the moon)--,even then consciousness cannot be older than existence, because it is not logically possible for a non-existent consciousness (e.g., a consciousness older than existence) to be conscious of any"thing", because first such a "thing" would need to exist. Thus your argument is reduced to a contradiction, and logically, condradictions cannot be used to form a philosophy, at least not one based on logical argument. Thus, our ultimate disagreement, you and I, is that you hold a Primacy of Consciousness to metaphysics, while I hold a Primacy of Existence. Thus, we get to the reason why I hold your approach to metaphysics to be false (and you hold my philosophy to be false), and why we will just go round and round here, for when two humans start from completely different axiomatic concepts, they will (by definition) never agree--but such is the way of philosophy. As to Rand, you are welcome to begin a new thread on her philosophy of Objectivism. However, there is already a significant amount of information (pro, con; including your previous critical links) at this site for those with an interest:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_rand

 

[John_Charles_Webb]

I've heard the phrase "I think therefore I am" as a proof of existence, but I do not find that very sound (and i think i heard that Descartes didn't exactly say that phrase).
I believe that because we have the ability to think, either by free will or not, then we have to exist. Even if we are in a "Matrix" setting or if we are all a figment of someone else's imgination. We exist in some form, maybe just not in the reality we perceive.
Jameson

The phrase "I think. therefore I am" is a metaphysical (beyond mundane physics) Zen Koan (like what is the 'sound of one hand clapping').

-I think, therefore I am
therefore 'thinking' may be a condition precedent to existence OR only one indicator of existence. eg. I eat, therefore I am.
or I do NOT think therefore I am not (a contradiction because of the presence of the non-thinking "I" as the observer). Therefore, thinking may not be the only condition that proves (therefore) existence.

OR 'if 'A' therefore 'B' does not preclude if 'X' therefore 'B'.
(x meaning any variable other than non-existence).

I believe the solution to the koan is:
By thinking I have brought myself into existence.

"When the inner dialogue stops, the world disappears"
Don Juan (Carlos Casteneda)