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From: ronk@fs-gate.uchicago.edu (Ron Kosary)
Subject: Re: Please give me your opinion about doubts !?
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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 19:33:59 GMT
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In article <3k4l4u$l08@ug1.plk.af.mil> ruden@ug1.plk.af.mil (Edward Ruden) writes:
>From: ruden@ug1.plk.af.mil (Edward Ruden)
>Subject: Re: Please give me your opinion about doubts !?
>Date: 14 Mar 1995 10:52:30 -0700

>u9301732@muss.cis.McMaster.CA (F.P. Nezavdal) writes:


>>Hi, I'd like to know your thoughts on whether or not it is possible to 
>>doubt everything



>Yes it is, and Descartes was able to do this for a short time.  However,
>he was not able to continue doubting his own existance because of
>his famous Cognito Ergo Sum argument:

>1. Premise: I do not exist.
>2. My definision of "I" is "that which thinks"
>3. To doubt is itself a thought.
>4. From 3, that which doubts thinks
>5. From 2, If that which thinks exists then "I" exist
>6. Therefore, 1. is false

>In other words, he could not *consistently* doubt that he exists because
>of the above argument that he came up with.  However, as long as you don't
>know of, or understand this argument, then it is indeed possible to doubt
>that you exist, or anything else for that matter.

>Edward L. Ruden


It is not generally known (and E. Ruden should be excused for not 
knowing), that Descartes' so called "Cognito Ergo Sum" argument as exists in 
print today, is not his complete, original argument. I have in my possession 
his original manuscript, and in order to educate all you little jarflings I 
will share it with you. It reads:

1. Premise: I do not exist.
2. My definition of "I" is "that which thinks"
3. To doubt is itself a thought
4. From 3,......as I look up I see Goden approaching our table....I hope that 
he doesn't see us......Damn,..he's seen us and is coming this way. That 
little mooch...I hate him. He never picks up the tab, and he always drinks 
more than his share......He always eats all the cashews and almonds from the 
mixed-nut tray....I don't mind the cashews so much, but I love almonds, and 
anytime he comes to our table the almonds are always gone after a little 
while...where was I?... oh yes,
4. From 3......wait a minute....That isn't *Kurt* Goden.......I recognize 
that clod. That's *Rick* Goden. That little bastard! It's been him coming to 
the pub all this time. Why didn't I notice this before? Why, I ought to 
knock the thunder out of him. But how can I, if I doubt my own existance.... 
Wait.....I think I've got the answer......
2. (Restated) My definition of "I" is "that which knocks the crap out of 
Goden.
5. From 2, Everytime I knock the crap out of Goden I verify that "I" exist. 
Hey, this could change the way I look at everthing. Feeling down? Go beat up 
Goden.....Feeling doubt? Pummel Goden. Hey, I wonder if this works just as 
well with other people? Let's see....
2. My definition of "I" is "that which knocks the crap out of Kant" 
.....Hmmm, not quite as effective.....My definition of "I" is "that which 
knocks the crap out of Camus"......WOOOOOOOOOO *that* felt good!....
Whole new avenues of thought are opening up to me......I feel SO GOOD! I 
think I'll go out and verify my existance..

   "Hey Goden, come on outside a minute, I've got something to show you"

                                 QED
>.

