Cogito-Ergo-Sum
Cogito-Ergo-Sum, or "I think, therefore I am," is a philosophical statement by Rene Descartes, introduced in his work Discourse on Method (1637). This statement encapsulates the essence of Descartes' foundationalist philosophy, aiming to establish a certain truth upon which all other knowledge could be built.
Context and History
- Development: Descartes developed this idea as part of his method of doubt. He aimed to find an indubitable truth by questioning everything that could possibly be doubted, including sensory perceptions, the existence of the external world, and even the existence of God.
- Philosophical Intent: Descartes' intent was to discover a truth that could withstand any doubt, thereby establishing a foundation for certain knowledge. He concluded that the act of doubting one's own existence served as proof of the reality of one's own mind.
- Publication: The phrase first appeared in French as "Je pense, donc je suis" in the Discourse on Method. However, it became widely known in its Latin form, Cogito, ergo sum, from his later work Principles of Philosophy (1644).
Philosophical Implications
- Existence: Descartes argued that even if all external perceptions were deceptive, the act of thinking proved the thinker's existence. This was his answer to skepticism about the existence of the self.
- Foundationalism: This statement laid the groundwork for Cartesian foundationalism, where all knowledge must be built upon indubitable truths or axioms.
- Subjectivity: The cogito emphasized the primacy of the subject, making the self the starting point of philosophy, which influenced the development of modern philosophy.
Reception and Influence
- Immediate Impact: Descartes' contemporaries debated the cogito, with some like Pierre Gassendi questioning whether Descartes had truly overcome skepticism.
- Legacy: The cogito has been a cornerstone in the study of epistemology and philosophy of mind, influencing thinkers like Immanuel Kant, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, and John Locke.
- Criticism: Over time, philosophers like David Hume and Bertrand Russell have critiqued Descartes' approach, particularly the leap from mental existence to the external world or to the existence of other minds.
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