What concept suggests that humans could be deceived by an evil demon simulating reality?

The concept that suggests humans could be deceived by an evil demon simulating reality corresponds to the idea inherent in the tradition of skepticism, particularly as articulated by René Descartes in his meditations. In this philosophical framework, Descartes considered the possibility that an all-powerful evil demon could manipulate perceptions, leading individuals to question the very nature of their own existence and reality itself.

Phenomenalism, in particular, posits that objects only exist to the extent that they can be perceived. This aligns with the idea that our understanding of reality is heavily reliant on sensory experience, which can indeed be manipulated, as the evil demon scenario illustrates. It invites a profound skepticism regarding what can truly be known, given that perceptions can be deceived.

In contrast, the other concepts do not directly address this aspect of deception and reality. Tabula rasa refers to the idea that individuals are born without built-in mental content, emphasizing knowledge acquisition rather than deception. "Cogito, ergo sum," or "I think, therefore I am," asserts the existence of the self through thought but does not specifically discuss an external deceiver. Double aspect theory suggests that the mind and body are two ways of perceiving the same reality rather than concentrating on the nature of