In this paper, I will first explain one of Descartes most debatable hypothesis found within his first Meditation, this hypothesis that refers to an evil demon brings to the table a series of existential questions that even today we are still trying to figure out the answer to. Then, I will explore how indubitable the “I think therefore I exist” and “the contents of one’s mind” are in relationship to the movie The Matrix by providing key examples of the movies that help to enlighten Descartes philosophical thoughts. Also, I will suppose Descartes himself is watching the movie, and he comments the following, “how the world in the movie is not real but just a part of the matrix and how one’s existence is challenged.” If Descartes were to comment this way, I would have to agree with his observations, in other words, I believe that Descartes’ initial conclusion of his Meditations I-II are the case in the described situation of the movie.

In his first Meditation, Descartes explores our knowledge of the external world by dividing our beliefs into two categories: Foundational beliefs (basic beliefs that are solid) and Super-structural beliefs (non-basic beliefs which count as knowledge). He wanted to show how many if not all of the beliefs we have about the world are cases of genuine knowledge. Nevertheless, to understand the basis of “believing,” Descartes explored the ideas of skepticism and how certain we are of things happening in our surroundings. He developed three arguments: the argument from Illusion, the dream argument, and the evil demon argument (in this paper I will talk about the latter). The evil demon hypothesis claims that all we know for sure is that we exist (I think therefore I am, Cogito ergo sum). All else can conceivably be the result of input from an evil demon being who just wants to mess with us. We may not have a body or access to our senses. However, the one thing that cannot be an illusion or false input is the fact that we have thought, which gives us the capacity for us to think and rationalize about our existence in the world. Descartes, consider this hypothesis because he has reason to doubt the totality of what his senses tell him as well as the visual knowledge (shape, color, taste, form) that it seems he has. Even though Descartes objectifies the existence of an evil demon as a possible cause for our capacity to believe, he refutes this hypothesis by negating the existence of such a being. He puts forth the assumption of a God, who is all merciful and would not allow such a being to play such tricks. Thus, we