Lecture-9

Skepticism - 4

⇨ Is there any way by which we can doubt a priori beliefs and the existence of things like
colors?

⇨ Descartes’ answer is YES. He argues:

● It may be the case that 2+2 ≠4 but 5, but a being of supreme power is controlling us and

leads us to think that 2+2 = 4. This supreme power does not lead us to know anything; it rather

provides us data so that we form those beliefs what he wants us believe. It makes us think

that we have bodies, that there is an external world, that 2+2=4 etc., but actually there may

be nothing but the so-called perceptions provided by the Evil Demon. If this is so, then we
can even doubt formal truths, and the existence of things like colors.

● This supreme power cannot be God; for, the concept of God involves goodness. God

is good. But an entity that seems to deceive us cannot be good. So, it is not God but an Evil
Demon who is as powerful as God.

● At any rate, it appears that there is a possibility that all our ideas are based on the inputs

provided by an Evil Demon who deceives us. So, all beliefs, whether they are based on

perceptions or kind of a priori beliefs, are subject to be doubted.

■ This argument is known as the Evil Demon Argument. The argument may be

restructured in the following way:

(P1) If one is not sure whether one is in the Demon-world or not, then
there is a chance that one is in the Demon-world.
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 (P2) One is not sure whether one is in the Demon-world or not.

(C1) Therefore, there is a chance that one is in the Demon-world.

(P3) If there is a chance that one is in the Demon-world, then one

should not trust one’s beliefs.

(P4) There is a chance that one is in the Demon-world. [(C1)]

(C2) One should not trust one’s beliefs.

(i.e. each and every belief be doubted)

■ Contemporary version of the Evil Demon argument is the Brains In a Vat (BIV)

argument offered by Hilary Putnam in Reason, Truth and History—First article. The
BIV argument maybe restructured in the following way:

(P1) One cannot know whether or not one is a BIV.

(P2) If one cannot know whether or not one is a BIV, then there is a
chance that one is a BIV.

(C1) Therefore, there is a chance that one is a BIV.

(P3) If there is a chance that one is a BIV, then one should not trust
one’s beliefs.

(P4) There is a chance that one is a BIV.

(C2) One should not trust one’s beliefs.

⇨ That is, the BIV argument gives the same result that is given by the Evil Demon
argument.

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