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Descartes uses wax to demonstrate that knowledge gained from sensory impressions is not certain. He says that in order to be knowledge it has to be certain. Because the wax’s property changed, his sense impressions changed. Thus, his conclusions about the wax were not certain. He realized that he was lead to the wrong conclusion by his senses. Then, he extended that idea to all other objects, including his own body. Thus, it even …

…his identity in terms of something certain. Finally, he arrives at the conclusion that every perception makes this truth more clear. In other words, “I think, therefore I am” is significant because it leads us to examine the world and draw conclusions with the certainty that we may be proven wrong. Thus, we do not take “facts” for granted. It is also significant because it leads to a clear idea about human nature and self-identity.