I think, therefore I am.
Descartes asserts his existence through the act of thinking.
René Descartes' declaration "I think, therefore I am" is a cornerstone of Western philosophy, establishing a fundamental element of modern thought. It appears in his work "Meditations on First Philosophy," where Descartes seeks to doubt everything except those truths that are absolutely certain. This statement underpins his argument for the existence of the self as a thinking entity and lays the groundwork for subsequent philosophical inquiry into the nature of reality and knowledge. Its simplicity and logical clarity have made it a critical reference point in discussions about cognition, consciousness, and personal identity, securing its place as a pivotal philosophical principle that continues to be taught and debated today.
Example Sentences
René Descartes
Meditations on First Philosophy
This assertion forms the foundation of Descartes' theory of knowledge, first published in 1641 by Michael Soly of Paris.
