If I proved my philosophy professor didn't exist, do you think he will fail me if I dont show up at the final?

Question

I used various theories from Existentialism to Confucianism and he admitted that I philosophically proved he didn't exist... So that would mean he can't fail me or can he?

Answer 1

Prove that YOU don't exist and convince him to give you a non-existent A.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

You're funny! I think that's hilarious.

It's also funny that creating an unsound argument over the existence of Prof A does not say anything about the existence of the grading criteria, or about your actual academic performance. It is not Prof A who would fail you. You would fail yourself.

But here's another funny one to get some mileage out of, the solipsist view. It doesn't work out logically or psychologically, either one. It says that nobody exists but me. Or more accurately it says that I exist, and everybody else exists too but they exist only as my own mental content. Philosophically, I am real and they are ideal. So, imagine a true blue solipsist giving a public lecture on solipsism, and afterwards an audience member rushes up to the solipsist and says "I can't beleive it, I am so glad to meet you because I thought I was the only person alive who thought this way!"

Answer 4

Since He doesn't exist, the "He" doesn't exist to "do" anything. However, if you don't believe your own logical proof, ya better go to class.

We know from Mysticism, Esoteric traditions from all over the World as well as Quantum Physics that indeed, No Thing, Person, Place, Time or Event "exists", as such. All experiences occur only in the "mind" and are projected as Holograms - a mirror, if you will, a feedback mechanism that tells us about our mind's dynamic.

The issue, it seems, is not "out there" but rather, the issues you "seem" to have with giving your power to "out there" figures of Authority...or Not !

Answer 5

Your not the first acolyte to cut himself shaving with Occam's razor.

I can see your dilemma. If a final is given in the forest, but no one is there to score it, does it make the grade?

As an Empiricist I'm inclined to play it safe. One little cogito and your professor is ergo sumed right around your sophistry.
Out comes the red pen, with those chilling words: "I refute Ronnie thus"

Still, you could always embrace nihilism and render the failing grade meaningless.

Answer 6

You cannot prove that the venerable professor 'didn't' exist.

There are too many records and documents, not to mention your own 'knowledge'.

Of course he will fail you if you don't show up at the 'final.'

Unless, of course, he can prove that you don't exist.

Answer 7

Are u joking...philosophy is love of wisdom...not love of denial.
If he exists...how come you prove he doesnt?? That is not the philo I know. Any way I dont know how you proved it but if he said so...so be it. How much do you trust him? he might surprise you with an F.

Answer 8

If I give an answer you don't like will you prove I don't exist too?

Answer 9

If you believed that he didn't exist, the question would be irrelevant. Something that doesn't exist (the prof) would have no bearing on your marks (what does exist). Clearly, you don't believe your own hypothesis.

Answer 10

you are still directing the proposal at your philosophy teacher....sorry, I'm sure he's heard it before......

but you could skip out on the exam and claim the Heisenberg uncertainty principal.....at best you could study a little longer and get a retest...

=)