Throughout human existence, scholars have diligently pursued knowledge and the attainment of truth. Historical figures such as Plato, Descartes, and Emerson sought answers to daunting questions: “What is truth?”; 'What is reality?'; “How do you acquire wisdom?” Many scholars believe that these philosophers presented conflicting views: Plato encouraged skepticism regarding all previous historical, cultural, and personal perspectives; Descartes questions the definitions of reality and its very existence; Emerson encourages self-confidence and belief in one's ideals, opinions and beliefs. Surprisingly, from these three different hypotheses a conciliation can be reached. Emerson's thesis limits itself to expounding the philosophies of Descartes and Plato. It builds on Descartes' search for personal identity and reconciles Plato's skepticism with his views on self-confidence and nonconformity among scholars. Through “Mediations I and II,” Descartes challenges definitions of reality and identity, establishing a precursor to Emerson's philosophy. Initially, Descartes questions all notions of being. In “Mediation I,” Descartes begins his argument by explaining that the senses that perceive reality can be deceptive and that “it is wiser not to completely trust anything by which we have once been deceived” (Descartes 59). But then he continues to reason; “opinions [are] to a certain extent doubtful…and at the same time highly probable, so that there is much more reason to believe them than to deny them” (Descartes 62). Descartes maintains confidence within his established personal beliefs even though he may doubt some physical senses. Furthermore, Descartes tries to establish his identity in “Meditation II.” Even as he questions his very existence, he begins to trust ... middle of paper ... personal beliefs and search for identity, solidifying his hypothesis with Emerson's by providing a basis for his "self-confidence ". ideals. Furthermore, Emerson's thesis mirrors that of Plato in that accepted social, historical, and scholastic views must be questioned. Emerson's definitions of "self-reliance" and "thinking man" effectively reconcile the discrepancies between the ideology of the three philosophers, establishing a basis for truth in philosophy. Works Cited Descartes, René. “Meditation I and Meditation II”. Discourse on the Method and Meditations on First Philosophy. Yale University Press., 1996.Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “The American scholar”. American Public Speeches 1740-1952. A. Craid Baird. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1956.Plato. “Allegory of the Cave”. Plato's Republic. Trans. GMA Grube. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1992.