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Single Idea 2792

[from 'The Analysis of Mind' by Bertrand Russell, in 12. Knowledge Sources / E. Direct Knowledge / 4. Memory ]

Full Idea

There is no logical impossibility in the hypothesis that the world sprang into being five minutes ago, exactly as it then was, with a population that "remembered" a wholly unreal past.

Gist of Idea

It is possible the world came into existence five minutes ago, complete with false memories

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Analysis of Mind [1921], p.159)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Analysis of Mind' [Routledge 1995], p.159


A Reaction

One of the great sceptical arguments! At a stroke it undermines forever any dreams that memories are totally certain. This is an extra scepticism, which arises if you decide that current experience IS totally certain.