The Evil Spirit Argument Essay

1074 Words3 Pages

I. Introduction
This paper is an evaluation of the argument Descartes presents about the possibility of the influence of an evil demon influencing manipulating and deceiving us through our senses. The second section is to describe the method of doubt and how it progresses to the third section which evaluates the progression through the evil spirit argument. Fourth, is how one can take both the method of doubt and the evil spirit argument and come to the conclusion that one still exists and is a thinking being. I reject Descartes argument that he thinks, therefore he exists, because deceit may lead to existence but it cannot prove that one is a thinking thing, for even the existence of all thought could be the product of that very deceit.
II. The Method of Doubt
To start the evaluation, I am using the text from page 10 to analyze the information to find the main points that leads to his conclusion that one cannot believe anything learned through the senses.
1. I have been deceived by my senses.
2. It is never prudent to trust completely …show more content…

341). Descartes fails to counterbalance the possibility that the Evil Spirit is tricking him into thinking that he has these doubts. If this is true, it still proves that he does exist, but it still does not prove that he is a thinking thing. By Descartes own definition, in order for him to be a thinking being he would have the abilities of perceiving intellect and understanding. This cannot be true because of his argument that the evil spirit is deceiving him. Therefore, Descartes could not even perceive his own mind. Since he cannot perceive his own mind he cannot exist. If Descartes is being deceived to have doubts and understanding, then he could also be falsely informed that he has consciousness. If the Evil Spirit exists, then Descartes cannot be a thinking

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