can the existence of others be used to prove my non-existence? — Eric Souza
(maybe I recognize it doesn't make any sense) — Eric Souza
Well, can the existence of others be used to prove my non-existence? — Eric Souza
Answeing the first question this way, the second question (am I original?) is already answered: I'm not original.
This is a confusion of three separate questions concerning three different areas of philosophy: ontology, epistemology and ethics. The question of your existence is answered by you asking it. If you didn't exist you couldn't ask the question. But the brute fact of your existence is independent of the question of knowledge. When you're asleep you cannot be said to know that you exist; you're oblivious to the fact that you exist. Others may observe you while you sleep and thereby know of your existence. But even if no one knew of your existence, including yourself, that would not mean you didn't exist. No one knew that Pluto existed until it was discovered in 1930. Does that mean Pluto didn't exist until 1930? Of course not. The very concept of discovery presupposes the possible existence of things before they are known, and even of things that may never be known. So it is a mistake to think that you do not exist for those who will never know of your existence, since existence is independent of anyone's knowledge. Existence is not 'for' anyone or anything. As for whether or not you 'matter', that is an ethical question. Even if no one else knows of your existence, your existence would still presumably 'matter' to you? This is a question of value, not of epistemology or ontology.I do not exist for those who will never know of my existence. If nobody knows of my existence, do I exist?, or do I matter? … Do I exist if I'm the only one who knows of my existence?
Well, can the existence of others be used to prove my non-existence? Can my existence be used to prove your non-existence? The only person that exists is the one that does not know other people exist? — Eric Souza
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