Friday, August 31, 2012

How I proved beyond doubt that the world revolves around me

I've been having a very philosophical day today.

It began in work when an argument with my computer over the presence or otherwise of a line led me to question the very idea of existence. It seems greater minds than mine have spent hours - nay years - pondering this topic and it suddenly occurs to me, 'If I pinch myself do I not yelp?' Thus proving beyond doubt my existence. So maybe they are not greater minds than mine. Maybe they just need to stick pins in themselves.  Or maybe I'm missing the point.

So that was this morning. Then while cleaning the bath just now I asked myself, 'Does an atheist believe he doesn't have a soul?' (Inspired by Dr Stu's comment on an earlier post.) I came to the conclusion that just because he doesn't believe it doesn't mean he doesn't. Or if I believe it, he does. Thus proving the world revolves around me.

Long ago, when I first began this blog I recall writing something along the lines of, 'How does one get a job as a philosopher? I could enjoy sitting and thinking all day.' I am beginning to think I definitely missed my vocation in life. My name could be up there with Descartes and, um, other famous philosophers.

Speaking of Descartes, it appears what he actually said was, 'Dubito ergo cogito; cogito ergo sum.' But probably not in Latin or in so few words.

I think I should stop thinking.

P.S. Interesting: Spellchecker picked up cogito but not dubito, which must prove something.

7 comments:

Stu said...

Liz, FYI, 'Salvaged soul' is an anagram of 'God save us all' ;-)

Gledwood said...

Our old biology teacher used to say the onset of adulthood came when you realize the world didn't revolve around you... by which token, there's a hell of a lot of very old children wandering this earth..!!

nick said...

There is no way of proving beyond doubt one's existence. Every proof depends on some prior proof. How do I know have a body? Because my senses tell me. So how do I know I have any senses? Etc etc ad infinitum.

The world can't possibly revolve around you, as obviously it revolves around me.

Rose said...

It's still too early in the morning for me to think such deep thoughts. But I think we all think the world revolves around us; otherwise, we would all be existentialists or some such thing.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Oh, dear, you've got me thinking now!

Liz Hinds said...

Interesting, stu.

I refuse to grow up, gledwood.

Let's not argue about this, nick. I'll let you think that while knowing I am the pivotal point.

Existentialist, rose, now that's a big word. I tried reading some articles and got lost in the first sentence!

Keeps the brain active, welshcakes!

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luck!

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