My Philosophy 101 teacher wants us to PROVE we exist....Anyone take this class? Has anyones Professor ask you this question for a term paper?? Thanks for the help..
2007-07-03 03:25:29 · 18 answers · asked by Dog Rescuer 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Others have said this already, but without much explanation; still, Rene Descartes' dictum "I think, therefore I am" is the best response.
Why? Because since you can think, you can do MORE than simply record sensory inputs...experiences. You can modify your surroundings thus altering the inputs you experience. That is, YOU can change the universe in which you live. IF you can do THAT, and are aware of it, THEN you exist.
Hope this helps! Good luck...I loved my philosophy classes, and I hope you will also.
2007-07-03 05:38:16 · answer #1 · answered by stevenB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indeed, if you think, therefore you exist. So, after that you can attack an opposite argument (instead of your teacher): Nothing is certain, there is no truth, but if this is true then this idea is also uncertain, false, so there are truths. At least there is small degree of certainty in reality and we are somehow real. Of course, it only explains why YOU and parts of your surroundings are real, but not WE, which is out of your mind's reach, so it's irrelevant if WE DO NOT exist because you can never prove or deny if WE exist for sure. What's the difference between this and a mental illness? WE confirm our existence by sharing common aspects of reality through communication in a consistent way (not "shattered", like in schizophrenia).
The best thing you can do is say that all evidence shows that we, in fact, exist and there is no proof of the contrary, which is only a remote possibility.
2007-07-03 03:43:08 · answer #2 · answered by Octavius 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is actually a difficult question.
Is the answer DNA? Every other sort of proof could be argued.
But there are Birth certificates as well as Baptism; and liscenses, and positive ID from another person.
Sounds tough. Good Luck.
2007-07-03 03:31:36 · answer #3 · answered by bin there dun that 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Existing is merely to breath and sleep and eat, all that is reactionary id our body. But to Live, we feel , thinks and respond to out surroundings. To prove to exist is evident by the fact that we are, to live is to love. All people exist, but not all live.
2007-07-03 03:35:17 · answer #4 · answered by Denny Crane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well,
I am not sure my answer is correct , well , matter occupies space , weight, this proves we exist, U better do some research on the net
Best Regards
Chulan
2007-07-03 03:28:39 · answer #5 · answered by ~Insanity Has Taken Over~ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My mate took the class and shot himself in the head, he had a piece of paper in his pocket saying... "I did exist!"
Or you could shock everyone - and say there! I exist!
God american education is poor.
2007-07-03 03:33:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kind of hard to...it's akin to coming up with an argument against simulation. Read this, it'll help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulated_reality
2007-07-03 03:34:56 · answer #7 · answered by jasohn1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could always assault him, if you don't exist, he can't press charges. If you do exist...A+!
Look how many of us took this class. You now know what to do.
2007-07-03 03:29:12 · answer #8 · answered by Shizzle® 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Punch your teacher in the throat...ask if they felt it. When they say yes....you say "That is the proof I exist!"
2007-07-03 03:28:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I think then I are........
Beat the **** out of him, if it hurts then I would say it must be proof that you exist.
2007-07-03 03:29:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋