What are the five characterizations that make this statement an item of unshakeable grounds for descartes? Why might it be both self-evidential and inferential argument?
2006-12-05 16:58:19 · 7 answers · asked by Loki 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
This statement is the result of Descartes' deep analysis on truth and reality. Descartes was trying to find a solid ground, so that he could build his theory on an undubidable ground. Therefore he first tried to find something that he can be 100% sure about. Perception was not a way to reach the undubidable because if perception was deceiving us from time to time (there are plenty examples of deception of perception), then he couldnt base his theory on things he perceives. There is always the danger that it is deceiving him. Second think he thinks about is that there is always the possibility of being in a dream so he could never be sure that the environment he perceives is real since it was perfectly possible to be in a dream and not to realize it. Then he thought about mathematics! They seemed to be true, universally but Des. thought of something extreme, yet possible. Maybe we were created by an evil genius who deceived us about mathematical truths. (this is extreme, yes but not impossible as I said) So he started to think and realized that there was no doubt that he was doubting! this was undubidable and it was not possible that an evil genius could deceive him about that. If he was doubting then he necesserily has to be thinking! It was not possible to say: maybe I am not thinking but an evil genius deceives me and make me think I am thinkining? --this was not possible! so after refuting 3 possible grounds he found a ground that was unshakable. he was thinking and doubting. And the very fact that he was a thinking thing, proved that he existed! he couldnt be sure about the 3 dimensional environment he perceives with his senses but no matter what was 'outside', and even if his body and brain was not existing, his mind, his thoughts were existing. Somehow he was existing and that was the unshakable ground Descartes was looking for. The existence of someone can be a deception but the existence of yourself is undubidable. therefore 'cogito ergo sum' is the one statement that almost (I think all of them but there might be some unknown to me) all philosophers accept.
2006-12-05 17:17:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you silence your mind, you are not in thought but are aware of "being," as in dasein. Read up on Heidegger and Kant to see where it falls.
Reminds me of a joke:
Descartes is sitting in a bar, having a drink. The bartender asks him if he would like another. "I think not," he says, and vanishes.
2006-12-06 01:20:33 · answer #2 · answered by elguapo_marco_2008@sbcglobal.net 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Self awareness is the key to it.
2006-12-06 01:00:12 · answer #3 · answered by Spiritualseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HA! But how do you know that everyone else is as well? Are you really all alone?
2006-12-06 01:46:53 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not answering your psychology final for you...
2006-12-06 01:44:19 · answer #5 · answered by Dirt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can you doubt your existence if you do no exist?
2006-12-06 01:05:12 · answer #6 · answered by humorist_4_u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not so sure
2006-12-06 01:05:56 · answer #7 · answered by sitrawoodglobal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋