Descartes says, "I think therefore I am." But doesn't he presuppose the "I" in that statement? Any thoughts?

Answer 1

The meaning of this phrase is simply "because I am consciously aware of my own presence or existence, then I am for real"

It's justification for existence, and an affirmation of one's own reality, otherwise...if one did NOT thinketh, they would not BE, right?

Answer 2

It depends on how you approach the "I". If you take "I" as being ontologically prior to the thought, having a seperately defined existence, then you have to link the "I" to the thought.

If, however, you take the "I" to be "whatever is thinking the thought" then no: the "I" is defined in terms of the thought, almost a convientently label for the thinking entity.

As Descartes doubted his existence before "I think therefore I am" we should take the "I" as the entity thinking the thought.

Answer 3

The I in the sentence is there exactly because he thinks.
In his "Philosophical Meditations", Descarted starts from the principle that everything can be doubted, even himself. He starts by doubting his senses and his body, his everyday life, because they resemble a dream so they could actually be dreams. But then he moves on to his mind. He realizes that the thing (he cannot define himself) named I thinks. He even states: "I am a thing which thinks". Because you cannot have a sentence without a subject, the "I" is inserted also because the fact that he reflects upon himself makes him realize that there is a thing which he can refer to as "I"

Answer 4

When you say "any thoughts", there is thinking to do, before answering! One thinks, therefore one is! The "I" in the statement does not transcend the mind or the thinking, that "I" is rather limited to the sphere and capability of thinking! Go beyond the mind, beyond thinking, that "I" ceases to exist, there is Consciousness, Realisation, Awareness beyond "I" or the mind and thoughts! Ego brings you down, back to earthy planes, making it a task to soar, fly away to loftier planes and heights! Descartes does not think any more, therefore he is no more!

Answer 5

The conscious mind thinks, it thinks I , this is the realization of self and existence of a supposed reality. Once the brain thinks of itself as it is a part of existence, the thought becomes the reality, I think, therefore I am. Is a true statement. Without the realization of Self or I one cannot presume to be in a state of existance.

Answer 6

The ONLY thing in this life that one can be assured of is the "I".

Until you can prove that *you* will still remain after *I* die, you better keep hoping that I'm supposing things. For all you and everyone else know, you are a figment of my supposition.

;)

Answer 7

In the classical sense....NO
in the existential sense...not applicable, insofar as his quote is not directed at otherness

If you had read the work that this quote is taken from, you wouldn't have to ask...would you???

Answer 8

Will the person who asked that question please hold up his hand.