@OP
So, after reaching this point it seems that we have found a base, right? Geometry and mathematics will provide us with the grounding for our theory of knowledge.
...Except not quite.
Descartes asks us to entertain one last extraordinary possibility: Suppose that every thought you have ever had has been the product of a perfectly malevolent, perfectly powerful, perfectly knowledgeable being whose sole purpose is to ensure that you are as deceived as you can possibly be. Every thought you have ever thought or ever will think is utterly false. This includes even basic mathematical propositions like 2 + 2 = 4. After all, since such a scenario is conceivable (no matter how unlikely you may think), it seems that all knowledge claims are totally unsubstantiated, unjustifiable and false.
At this point, Descartes ends his first Meditation in a deeply troubling philosophical hole. What, if anything can he do to get himself out of this mess?
Feel free to take a guess, or ask questions, or just ignore this thread because it's boring. I will try to respond to feedback if you have anything you'd like to tell me.
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@previous (C)
The biggest trick the devil played was calling himself God
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@1,163,922 (C)
> Descartes asks us to entertain one last extraordinary possibility: Suppose that every thought you have ever had has been the product of a perfectly malevolent, perfectly powerful, perfectly knowledgeable being whose sole purpose is to ensure that you are as deceived as you can possibly be. Every thought you have ever thought or ever will think is utterly false. This includes even basic mathematical propositions like 2 + 2 = 4. After all, since such a scenario is conceivable (no matter how unlikely you may think), it seems that all knowledge claims are totally unsubstantiated, unjustifiable and false.
Is this some kind of reverse Pascal's Wager? 🤔🤔🤔
How the fuck do I know? I'm not a fucking mathematician.