The Skeptics Archnemesis

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Facts are agreed upon opinions.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with my claim, please feel free to click on the provided link What is a Fact?  This concept falls under the category of what is commonly referred to as “the skeptic”.  “The skeptic” is a way of thinking that questions everything. It is the strongest case to make because all arguments are grounded on the idea of knowing something. The problem is, as my earlier post indicated, we actually can’t know anything.  In every way “the skeptic” is this impenetrable argument.

However, there is a counter argument that can stand against the “the skeptic” with just as much certainty.  This counter statement was first introduced by Cogito Ergo Sum when he coined the term, “I think, therefore I am”.  By having the ability to think and question one’s own consciousness then proves that thing is in fact conscious.  He is not stating what form of consciousness is taking place. Instead he is merely stating there is some form of conscious thought taking place.  He simply states that he is conscious because he thinks whether he is conscious.

What is interesting about this concept is that we live in a time where nobody can go into anyone else’s consciousness.  As much as I may understand and relate to my friends, I will never know what it truly means to be in their heads. Therefore, the quote goes, “I think, therefore I am”, and not “we think, therefore we are”.  This concludes that until neuroscience puts me into your head there is no way for me to know that you are a conscious being like myself, and of course the opposite is true as well. Until humanity can figure out how to do this we are limited to ourselves.  This is why I have no way of knowing if there is even any other mind to go into.

To my surprise, yet also enlightenment, I now believe there is one fact. One thing I, and nobody else, can be absolutely sure of. Alternatively, you have one thing you can be sure of that nobody else can be.  I find this area of knowledge extremely interesting and if you find any flaw in my way of thinking please feel free to contact me through email and/or comment below.  Also, if you would like to continue the conversation please feel free to do so as well. I used to think there were no facts, and now I believe there is one, maybe with a longer debate we can find a second.