n hypothesis which MAY be true, but not necessarily so.
And then to conclude, 'Therefore I am,' is to advance one of the most
shaky conclusions of all time. Underneath that so-called logical
conclusion lies a metaphysics of being, a theory of Wholes, a
recognition by differentiation of parts, with a denial of all but the
one part set apart by that differentiation, and, in short, the most
irrational hodgepodge of contradictory conclusions the thinking mind can
conceive. This pre-cognition that enables one to arrive at the tenuous
statement, 'I think, therefore I am,' is nicely thrown out by tagging it
with another metaphysical intangible called illusion--as if the mind can
separate illusion from reality by some absolute standard."

"I believe you're right, Ont," Upt replied slowly, his telepathed
thoughts subdued with respect. "It is possible that the concept, 'I
think,' is the illusion, while the so-called illusions are the reality."

* * * * *

"Even without the benefit of past thoughts," Gordon was saying, whacking
off a weed a yard away and nearly upsetting himself, "a mind with
nothing to do but think could accomplish miracles. Suppose it was not
aware of any other thinking entity, though it might be surrounded by
such similar entities. It would be born or come into existence some way,
arrive at self-awareness and certain other awarenesses to base its
thinking on, depending on its structure, and--" he looked up at Harold
startled at his own conclusion--"it might even arrive at the ultimate
solution to all reality and comprehend the foundations of the Universe!"

"And eventually be destroyed without any other entity having the
benefit of it all," Harold commented dryly.

"What a pity that would be," Gordon murmured. "For the human race to
struggle for hundreds of years, and have some unguessable entity on Mars
do all that in one lifetime--and it all go to waste while some
blundering ass lands on Mars and passes it by, looking for artifacts."

* * * * *

"But that is only the start in the blunders contained in that most
profound philosophical revelation of old," Ont stated. "After arriving
at a precarious conclusion about existence the ancients were not
satisfied. They had to say, 'If I am I must have been created!' Then
they go on and say, 'If I was created there must be a Creator!' And thus
they soar from their precarious perch in existence, soar on