I think therefore I am. Life is what you make of it. The one thing you can always change is: your mind.
These sayings reflect the famous French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes most well known statement “Cogito ergo sum” translated into english “I think therefore I am”. As Elon Musk recently put it, although not the first to suggest it, we could all be inside a giant computer simulation. Something akin to the Matrix or Plato’s Cave. See Mr. Musk’s interview below:
What does this have to do with the law or personal injury?
On a fundamental level, the idea that we are in a computer simulation, cave or even the Matrix is an idea that conflicts with what we generally accept as our existence. The ability to consider these possibilities, despite evidence to the contrary, is a hallmark of what makes a good lawyer.
A good lawyer recognizes the power having and choosing options. Sometimes those options are in the form of what is reality or sometimes those options are presented in terms of litigation. Do you file suit right away or do you try to negotiate? The ability to think up another solution and present it in terms that everyone can agree on can be critical to resolving a case. But, these ‘third way’ options generally aren’t presented to you, you have to put in the work and time. In other words, it’s up to you (or your lawyer).