Descartes What Is Real Essay

How do we know what is real? This question has been pondered and analyzed by philosophers for centuries. Many theories have lead to possible explanations, as no theory can be disproved. However we cannot prove that our existence is true. nothing can be proved. Real is defined as, “actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed”. ( )I disagree with this definition. Philosopher Descartes, asked the question, “what can I know”? he concluded, Cogito ergo sum, translating to ‘I think therefore I am’(Pg. ). He believed that the only thing that is concrete reality is that we are thinking. We cannot deny that we are thinking, but nothing else can be proven. By reflected on dreams, we can analyze how realistic they seem at the time. Descartes contemplated how dreaming relates to our reality. Typically, we are unaware that we are dreaming until we wake up, with the exception of lucid dreaming. “How can we be sure that we are not dreaming at the very moment”? (pg. ) Descartes believed that there could be “potential higher spirit with overall goal to deceive. Who can make me sleep and then dream vividly that I am awake or make everything I look at look to me like something else, or make me believe that two and two add up to five”. (pg. 87) I believe that even if

Consequently, we fall into a vicious cycle as we constantly try to obtain emotional gain through our desires and greed; a trait that is interwoven into human nature. The only way to achieve happiness and self fulfillment is through positive human interaction, experiences and growth within our own souls. I believe that the only things that are real, are what cannot be seen or explained. This could be religious figures, emotions, memories, music, moments, and genuine love. Once we are content and fulfilled from within, we do not desire to become fulfilled through the physical