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The question of existence has loomed in the minds of great philosophers since the times of Socrates and Plato. When we talk about existence, a very basic question arises when we take a step back and look at it; What is Existence after all? Is it having a physical body, or is it having an ability to think, or is it having consciousness?
An interesting theory put forward by one of the greatest philosophers of medieval times, Descartes, is about the Deceiving Demon. (The movie Matrix has taken a very basic concept from this theory. In this theory, Descartes puts forward the question that what if we all are just in one long dream and everything happening around us is only our imagination or just a simulation. After all, we come to know that we were dreaming only once we wake up! In the Matrix, the main cast Neo comes to know that the world of his is only a computer simulation only when he gets out of it. So, what if there is this "demon" who is controlling our minds and just making us believe that something is in front of us when it is not there at all. Something like this article is in front of u, whereas actually its just deep, dark empty space!)

This then puts each and every question about anything and anyone in doubt. Our very first principles and laws can then be nothing but our own theories to satisfy our minds. Think about anything (i mean, anything at all) and ask one question to yourself, "Is it possible that the Deceiving Demon is making me believe it is so when actually it is not so?" But after all these questions, on further introspection, can we ever refute the fact that we exist?
This question particularly is of interest because it seems weird that how can the demon deceive us without us existing. Although weirdness is a part of this topic, but this question seems logical enough to be thought over. How can we even be dreaming or doing anything else whatsoever if we do not exist? It leads us to further metaphysical concepts and metaphysics is one branch of philosophy which is famous for producing more questions than answers.
In the end, we just end up with more questions because there is a possibility of doubt and questioning in each and every thing. So, existence not only depends on the way it is defined, but also on the limit to what we can know (that is, if that limit exists). Because we cannot know all, if at all we can anything!

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