C. Smoke attempts debasing demon arguments

Here's my attempt at the debasing demon argument:

Argument

(1) Knowledge requires the production of belief, properly based on the evidence, and any belief can be produced on an improper basis.

(2) If (1), then it is always possible, when a belief is produced on an improper basis, for it to seem later as if one had produced a belief properly based on the evidence.

(3) Therefore, it is always possible, when a belief is produced on an improper basis, for it to seem later as if one had produced a belief properly based on the evidence.

(4) When one forms a belief, the debasing demon makes it seem as though it is properly based on the evidence, where it is not properly based on the evidence.

(5) If (3) and (4), then it is the case that no matter what belief you form, there is always the possibility that you cannot be certain that the connection between your belief and evidence is properly based.

(6) Therefore, it is the case that no matter what belief you form, there is always the possibility that you cannot be certain that the connection between your belief and evidence is properly based.


Reply

(1) I believe I exist.

(2) If it is always possible, when a belief is produced on an improper basis, for it to seem later as if one had produced a belief properly based on the evidence, and when one forms a belief, the debasing demon makes it seem as though it is properly based on the evidence, where it is not properly based on the evidence, then (1) is based on improper evidence.

(3) It is not the case that (1) is be based on improper evidence.

(4) Therefore, it is not the case that it is always possible, when a belief is produced on an improper basis, for it to seem later as if one had produced a belief properly based on the evidence, and when one forms a belief, the debasing demon makes it seem as though it is properly based on the evidence, where it is not properly based on the evidence.