The Cogito (1)

<The Cogito is a philosophical principle that states that a being's existence is demonstrated by the fact that it thinks. It is derived from the Latin phrase cogito, ergo sum, which translates to "I think, therefore I am". The phrase was coined by French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes (1596–1650) in his 1637 work Discourse on Method. Descartes used the Cogito as the first step in demonstrating the attainability of certain knowledge. He believed that some beliefs are basic and require no justification, and that these beliefs are indubitable, meaning they cannot be doubted and must be true. In Discourse on Method, Descartes used a thought experiment to demonstrate the Cogito. In the experiment, a demon deceives Descartes about the authenticity of his thoughts and beliefs, but Descartes cannot doubt his perceptions as they appear to him. > Mmmmm Mmmmm Cogito Cogito Cogito Cogito... Oh-oh (Verse 1) When you brought up zombies. I thought: Walking Dead. But you meant neural mimics, no magic in their heads. Not the hordes of rotting flesh., a more disturbing thought. Not the Hollywood zombies - the philosophical sort. All their neurons firing, without the magic flame. No one in there feeling it, but acting just the same. (Chorus) I know I'm not a zombie; it's the clearest thing I know. I think, therefore I am... It's Descartes' Cogito. (Verse 2) For weeks I dreamed of zombies, they'd visit me at night. I'd study strangers' faces, looking for the light. But then I read your blog. You said they make no sense. They think they're special, too From matching evidence. [Instrumental] (Verse 3) You wrote of zombie twins, out there in logical space: physical copies of us, with nothing out of place. So my twin is like a shadow... Writing this very song? Huh. Thinking she is conscious, not knowing she is wrong. (Chorus) I know I'm not a zombie , but I don't know how I know. I think, therefore I am... But what if it just ain't so? 'Cause, from what my twin says, she trusts the Cogito. (Verse 4) You say we're just machines, Sometimes I think you're right. But what's the point in living, if physics grips us tight? It's all laid out on tracks, I think that's what you said. But if we've got no choice. We might as well be dead. (Chorus) I know I'm not a zombie, but I don't know how I know. I think, therefore I am... But what if it just ain't so? 'Cause, from what you tell me, you reject the Cogito. (Bridge) So is there something it's like to be me? Is there something in here to feel? Or does my brain just spin a story? Is it pretending that I'm real? Sometimes when I meet your gaze, I question what I see. Are you feeling something in there? Are you looking back at me? (Chorus) I know I'm not a zombie, but I don't know how I know. I think, therefore I am... But what if it just ain't so? 'Cause, from what you tell me, Zombies know the Cogito. (Outro) You infected me with this, so let me turn it back on you. You think you're not a zombie, but how do you know that's true?