Imaginary conversation

At a Psych conference Sigmund is having what he thinks is an imaginary conversation with Johann.

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Sigmund: Thank you very much for your comments about my paper. Encourage someone and they don’t forget you.

Johann: I know, when I said I wanted to leave academia and go into practice, people criticized me for it, it didn’t help me find my way.

Sigmund: And is the way coming clearer?

Johann: It’ll take a while. I am never really sure I am headed in the right direction.

Sigmund: I’ll let you know a secret. You can keep a secret? I am sometimes never sure whether the person I am speaking to actually exists.

Johann: I exist.

Sigmund: If you say so. I certainly have a convincing impression that you are standing here. But I am not sure whether this is actually me standing here. It’s just that people are beginning to inhabit my head and start chatting to each other in there.

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Voiceover

Isn’t this what philosophy courses are all about? Questioning whether we really exist? The pragmatic among us sometimes get a little short with existential uncertainties like this and exhort us with retorts like, “Oh, for God’s sake, get on with it, get a job, get a life.”

Test question: You feel hungry. Do you (a) find gainful employment, remuneration for which you then exchange for victuals, (b) finding you have no funds, you go dumpster diving, or (c) there is no need to do anything since the dream that you are hungry will soon pass.

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