since thinking cannot be accomplished without existing and vice versa. Therefore he is a thinking thing. Finally, Descartes is careful to point out that even though imagination is an ability granted to him by virtue of the fact that he is capable of thinking, it should not be used to further the investigation at hand. Such abstinence is justified because things perceived in the imagination are likened to things perceived in dreams, and are subject to falsity or malicious tampering by an all-powerful deceiver. All of this sets the stage for subsequent meditations in which Descartes will attempt to prove the existence of God and acquit her of malicious intent....
