Single Idea 2253

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 4. Demon Scepticism]

Full Idea

How do I know that God did not bring it about that there is no earth or heavens, no extension, shape, size or place, and yet that all these things appear to me precisely as they do now?

Gist of Idea

God may have created nothing, but made his creation appear to me as it does now

Source

René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §1.21)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.98