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iPhilosopher

 

Perhaps Vivi's most famous line is his character quote:

How do you prove that you exist? Maybe we don't exist... — Vivi

This quote clearly echoes the underlying theme of existence throughout the story of Final Fantasy. Vivi, like the philosophers of real life, struggle to find a definition for existence, and what exactly it is. Our little black mage is a sure product of ontology — the study of the theory of existence — and, reflecting this, Vivi journeys in an attempt to discover what it means to exist.

When Vivi discovers he was made, not born, he's rightfully disturbed by the idea. He's discovered he's not human, but beyond that, he and his kind are not even produced in the typical, natural fashion. He realises he's come into being in a similar fashion as any mass-produced commodity: he suddenly finds himself relating more with an airship or even an article of clothing than a human being.

But Vivi also recognises that he has attributes unlike things that are made, and more like people that are born. He has a will and a conscience, and can make his own decisions. He learns things. He has thoughts and opinions and emotions. He has humanoid qualities.

After much pondering and strife, Vivi concludes that he exists. His proof of his existence — his ability to think and act and feel — follows closely with what Descartes (1596-1650) believed of existence. Descartes regarded existence as real insofar that we are consciously aware. Similarly, Vivi regarded his awareness as proof of his existence.

An interesting postulation can be drawn from Descartes' view of existence. The black mages all make a transition from unawareness to awareness. The central ingredient in Descartes' view of existence is awareness. So, does a black mages not exist — at least, not as a being — until it becomes aware? This seems to be what Descartes' argument insinuates.

But Descartes was born in a time where artificial beings weren't even fantasised about. He considered human beings as the subjects of his hypothesis. As such, Vivi's case is particular: as an artificial being, the same standards may or may not apply.

In the end, Vivi uses his own experience as a black mage come into awareness to guide his belief of existence. He knows that the other black mages can become aware, even if they aren't yet aware. He believes they should be given the opportunity and means "to exist".

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