The Journey of Doubt

(Rene Descartes’ Perspective)

Characters: Anna (as Professor), Janice, Angel, Cindy & Kristine

Setting: Each and every corner of the classroom.

Scene 1: The stage is dimly lit. Each student stands in their own spotlight, with abstract background
music playing. Their movements are slow, and the lighting changes to indicate their inner struggles as
they deliver soliloquies.

Narrator: The students’ struggle with radical skepticism echoes that shows Descartes’ Perspective. Their
doubt leads them to the fundamental realization of their own existence as thinking beings, providing a
foundational truth amid uncertainty.

Janice's Soliloquy:

(Sitting on a bench, her face buried in her hands as she reflects on her relationships.)

Janice: My whole life, I trusted the people around me.

(Looks up, anguished.) But now I wonder...how do I know them? Truly?

My best friend...does she really care about me? Or is she just pretending?

And my parents...do they love me, or is that just something I’ve believed without question?

(Stands up, pacing.) What if I’ve spent my entire life trusting illusions? And Descartes says...

Doubt everything. (Pauses.) What if I’m alone? What if I’ve always been alone?

But how can I even be sure of that?

Angel’s Soliloquy:

(Sitting cross-legged on the floor, looking disoriented as if he just woke up.)

Angel: (Looking at his hands, questioning whether he's awake.)

Am I dreaming? (Pauses, looking around with wide eyes.)

I remember...falling asleep. But now I’m here, and it all feels so real.

(Stands and touches objects on the stage, unsure if they’re tangible.)

This room, this moment...is it real? Or am I still in a dream?

Descartes said we can’t be certain of what’s real... (Laughs nervously.)

What if I never wake up? (Becoming more panicked.)

What if I’m stuck between dreams and reality? What if I’ve been dreaming my whole life?
Cindy’s Soliloquy:

(Looking into a mirror, questioning her own reflection.)

Cindy: Who am I? (Touches her face, staring at her reflection, trying to grasp her identity.)

I see my face in the mirror, but...do I know her? Memories flood my mind -

Of childhood, of school, of moments I think define me.

But Descartes tells me...I must doubt them. (Steps back from the mirror, eyes wide with fear.)

Can I trust my memories? Who am I...if I can't trust my past? (Voice breaking.)

How can I know myself when the very foundation of my identity crumbles under doubt?

Kristine's Soliloquy:

(Pacing aggressively, paranoid.)

Kristine: What if Descartes was right? (Stops, looking over his shoulder as if someone is watching.)

What if there’s an evil genius...controlling everything? (Looks up at the sky, angry.)

My thoughts...my feelings...are they even mine? Or have they been planted in my head?

(Pauses, breathing heavily.) What if every step I take, every thought I have...

is part of someone else’s design? (Laughs bitterly.)

This doubt...it eats away at me. But if my thoughts aren't even my own, what can I trust?

(Grabs his head, shouting.) How do I even know that I'm real?!

Scene 2: The classroom is dimly lit. The students return, each looking disoriented and shaken by their
experiences with doubt. Prof. Marcel stands at the front, waiting for them to speak.

---

Prof. Anna: I see you’ve all been through quite the journey. (She gives them a moment of silence.)

Tell me, what did you find?

Janice: (Standing, tearful.) I doubted the people I love.

I questioned if they’re even real, or if their love for me is just...an illusion.

(She shakes her head.) I don’t know if I can live like this—always doubting.

Angel: (Speaking quietly, almost in a daze.) I don’t know if I’m awake.

(She looks around the room, eyes wide.) How do I know this isn’t a dream?

How do I know...any of this is real?

Cindy: (Clutching her chest, her voice shaking.) I lost myself. I don’t know who I am anymore.
 (She looks at Prof. Anna with desperation.) How can I be sure of anything

if I can’t even trust my own memories?

Kristine: (Leaning against the wall, laughing bitterly.) An evil genius. That’s what Descartes said, right?

That someone could be manipulating everything...

Prof. Anna: (Smiling gently, she walks to the center of the room.)

Yes. Descartes asked you to doubt everything. But...is there not one thing you cannot doubt?

[Silence fills the room. The students exchange uncertain looks.]

Angel: (In frustration, she shouts.) That I’m thinking!

(She looks around, as the realization dawns on her.) If I’m doubting, if I’m thinking...

then I must exist. (She slowly smiles, understanding.) I think...therefore I am.

[The students slowly repeat variations of "I think, therefore I am," as the weight of the realization
settles in. They each sit down, quietly reflecting on this newfound certainty.]

Prof. Anna: (Walking back to the chalkboard, she erases the word “Doubt.” She turns back to them with
a smile.) Janice, Angel, Cindy and Kristine — you questioning yourselves proves that you exist. Doubt can
tear apart illusions...but it can also reveal what is real.

[ The lights slowly fade as the students sit in thoughtful silence, each of them coming to terms with
the clarity that doubt has brought them. ]
 The Mysterious Brew
(Francis Bacon’s Perspective)
Characters:
Nicole (as Bacon) - Philosopher
Sandra - A young brewer who loves to experiment
Aubrey - Sandra’s skeptical friend
Setting: A cozy herbalist’s shop with shelves full of jars, bottles, and dried herbs. A large wooden table in
the center is cluttered with ingredients and brewing equipment. The atmosphere is warm and inviting.
[Narrator steps forward as the curtain rises.]
Narrator: Today, we will explore the inductive method through the work of Francis Bacon. Bacon’s
approach to gaining knowledge involves starting with observations rather than theories. By gathering
data and identifying patterns, we build conclusions from evidence. Let’s see this method in action at
Sandra’s herbalist shop.
[Scene 1: The Herbalist’s Shop]
[Sandra is mixing herbs. Bacon and Aubrey enter.]
Nicole: Hello, Sandra. What are you working on today?
Sandra: Hi, Master Bacon. I’m testing new herbal blends to find the best one.
Aubrey: We should start with a theory and test it, right?
Nicole: Aubrey, while theories are important, we’ll go with the inductive method today. Sandra, how are
you working on this?
Sandra: I’m mixing different herbs and tracking their effects on taste and health. I’m noting the
outcomes of each blend.
Nicole: That’s right. Start with observations, then form a theory from the data.
Aubrey: But doesn’t that mean we’re guessing? Shouldn’t we know what to expect?
Nicole: Not really. The inductive method values evidence over guesses. Observations help us find the
best mix without preconceived ideas.
Sandra: I’ve tried several blends. For example, Blend A tastes good but isn't very effective, while Blend B
works well but tastes bad. I’m keeping track of these details.
Aubrey: But how do you ensure your results are accurate?
Nicole: By controlling variables like herb amounts, brewing conditions and by repeating experiments.
Consistent methods and careful documentation lead to reliable results.
Sandra: I’m doing that. I’m keeping detailed notes and checking for patterns.
Bacon: Perfect. Reliable data and repeated trials will reveal the best blend.
Aubrey: So, the best blend will be based on your data?
Nicole: Exactly. You’ll find the best mix through evidence, not with guesses or assumptions.
Sandra: I’m eager to see the results. I’ll keep testing to be sure.
Nicole: Great. Every observation helps us learn more.
Aubrey: Ah! I understand now. The inductive method helps us discover the best solution through
evidence.
Nicole: Precisely. It’s a process of learning through careful and systematic inquiry.
Sandra: Thanks, Master Bacon. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
Nicole: That’s the spirit of the inductive method—building knowledge through careful observation and
experimentation. Every step in observation brings us closer to the truth. Your findings
will guide you to the optimal blend.
[They gather around the table, discussing blends and results.]
[Curtain falls.]
Narrator: And so, through careful observation and systematic testing, Sandra applies Francis Bacon’s
inductive method to her herbal experiments to uncover the best blend for her needs.

The Selfish Market

Characters:
Reygilyn - A vendor who believes in a fair trade
Anne - A vendor focused solely on maximizing her own profit
Setting: An outdoor market with various stalls selling food and goods. Some vendors are seen interacting
with customers while others are focused on their own profits.
[Scene 1: Market Interactions]
[Reygilyn and Anne are at their market stalls. Reygilyn offers help to a customer, while Anne is seen
aggressively promoting her goods.]
Reygilyn: Hello! I can offer you a discount if you buy from both me and Anne. It’s better for everyone.
Anne: Discounts? I am here to make the most profit so why should I help others?
Reygilyn: Anne, working together benefits us all. Happy customers are most likely to return.
Anne: I am only concerned with my own sales. After all, helping others won’t increase my profit.
[Narrator’s voice-over: Thomas Hobbes argued that people are driven by self-interest, often ignoring
opportunities for mutual benefits in favor of personal gain. ]
[Scene 2: Reygilyn is helping customers while Anne is isolating herself]
Reygilyn: Anne, if we collaborate, we could attract more customers together.
Anne: My priority is my own profit. Cooperation won’t help me outshine my competitors.
Reygilyn: But by working together, we could enhance our market presence and customer base.
Anne: I don’t care about your sentiments Sara. Just mind your own business.
[Narrator’s voice-over: Hobbes’ view suggest that while cooperation can be beneficial, people’s self-
interest often prevents them from pursuing mutual gains.]
[Scene 3: Market Results]
[The day ends and the market is closing. Sara’s stall has still many returning customers, while Tom’s
stall is less busy.]
Reygilyn: I am pleased with the results. Cooperation brought in more customers than I expected.
Anne: (Frustrated) My focus on individual profit did not yield the results I hoped for. I guess you are
right.
Reygilyn: Working together could have made the day more successful for both of us.
Narrator’s Voice Over: Anne’s experience shows that while self-interest dominates, collaboration often
leads to greater overall success. Hobbes perspective on human nature highlights the tension between
self-interest and the potential benefits of cooperation for the common good.