ur interpretation? I never understood this saying
2006-10-08 08:39:38 · 10 answers · asked by lonelioness 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
it means becuase you have the ability to think you are alive.
2006-10-08 08:41:28 · answer #1 · answered by Amy Dee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's actually a poor rendering of what DesCartes actually said, which is closer to "I am a thinking thing" or "I am a thing which thinks" DesCartes could never have said "I think, therefore I am" (usually given in latin as "cogito ergo sum") because for DesCartes, that meant his thinking caused his existence in the same way in which striking the nail with the hammer causes the nail to be driven into the board. But that is a utterly and unabashedly empirical statement and DesCartes is a rationalist. So he says to himself, what do I know, of what am I absolutely certain? Well, he continues, I know that I am thinking because I am asking myself of what am I absolutely certain. And if I am thinking, then I must exist, elsewise what is it that is doing this thinking. Therefore, he concludes, I am a thinking thing. But if I am a thinking thing, then I am a thing. And if I am a thing, then I exist.
2006-10-08 15:24:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a definition of being. The philosopher is saying that thought is the only true proof of existence. In other words, if someone asked you to prove that you were more tha just a brain in a jar experiencing an elaborate dream, you couldn't. However, if that person said you didn't really exist, you could refute the statement by saying that you think, therefore exist. The fact that you could ponder the question proves your existence.
2006-10-08 08:46:14 · answer #3 · answered by tomstrong83 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This shows what God did to redeem guy from sin; by using changing right into a guy. Jesus is likewise the Son of God, and has made the relationship of guy and God by using His crucifixion and sealed it together with his resurrection. Jesus is God interior the flesh; something no one else can declare. See Philippians 2:6-11. Romans 10:8-10 is how all of us could be born lower back.
2016-11-27 01:12:55 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cogito Ergo Sum, is a philosphical observation by Rene' Descartes, meaning that because we have the abilty to think about our existance we thus prove it.
If we were simply figments of the imagination of another being, then independant thought would not exist. so while we may not always think for ourselves it is the ability to do so that verifies our existance
2006-10-08 08:44:33 · answer #5 · answered by janssen411 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What Descartes (the one who said it) said this he was showing his philosophical point of view, he says that to prove that we're a superior specie (regarding animals right) and since we THINK then we EXIST.
2006-10-08 08:48:01 · answer #6 · answered by Rational01 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it means if you think good thought about yourself (I am successful or pretty) then you will have a positive attitude and your life will reflect that. But if you think negative thoughts (I am ugly, fat, stupid) then that will reflect a negative attitude toward life. Think positive and you will be positive. When you learn do to this then tell me how!
2006-10-08 08:51:25 · answer #7 · answered by pmktabbycat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my interpretation is that as long as you have the ability to think, you shouldn't feel bad about yourself. it's probably encouraging us to have a high perception of ourselves. "there is nothing common to man that every man cannot do". (or, at least, i think that's what the quote is) .
2006-10-11 13:47:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get into this one by Ambrose Bierce
Cogito, cogito; ergo cogito sum.
2006-10-08 10:14:32 · answer #9 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dead people do not think
2006-10-08 11:37:34 · answer #10 · answered by dltscyc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋