Descartes

Recently in my philosophy class, Introduction to Classic Philosophy, we have been studying Descartes' Meditations, which I have found to be fascinating. So, I highly encourage anyone to read them. Since I have really enjoyed it, I am posting a passage from the First Meditation:

"I am like a prisoner who is enjoying an imaginary freedom while asleep; as he begins to suspect that he is asleep, he dreads being woken up, and goes along with the pleasant illusion as long as he can. In the same way, I happily slide back into my old opinions and dread being shaken out of them, for fear that my peaceful sleep may be followed by hard labour when I wake, and that I shall have to toil not in the light, but amid the inextricable darkness of the problems I have now raised" (Descartes, First Meditation, line 23).

Perhaps this passage on itself does not convey much, but I will refrain myself from further explanation--as my knowledge about Descartes is very limited and--in an attempt to encourage you to read the Meditations yourself.