2007-07-30 04:49:00 · 8 answers · asked by oldsalt 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
DesCartes is sitting in a bar, having a martini. The bartender asks,"Do you want another one?" DesCartes says, "I think not" and POOF! he disappears.
2007-07-30 04:50:29 · update #1
Let me be honest here. Yes, I told a stupid joke, but I was also looking for insights. I do not believe that my dumb joke negates the question. My question was actually a combination of my own lack of understanding what DesCartes really meant, the old tree-falling-in-the-forest thing and some of Mark Twain's later (and very bitter) writings. There was even an email from somebody who did not answer the question, who asked me what I was trying to do. I am not going to choose a best answer here, but will leave it up to a vote.
2007-07-30 05:54:56 · update #2
And let me add my thanks to all of you who either answered or emailed.
2007-07-30 05:55:46 · update #3
Judging by the contents of some of the questions asked here, I'd say the chance of that happening is extremely slim, for it it were true, the world would be less populated and most assuredly free of incompetent fools who ask silly questions, just to get someone else to do their homework for them . . . and nincompoops who have never mastered the "Check Spelling" option on their screen . . .
2007-07-30 04:56:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have missed the entire point of 'cogito ergo sum'.
At no point does he say BECAUSE I think, it MAKES me exist. Descartes is not trying to say that by thinking more he will exist more and that by thinking less he will exist less. In fact, a little bit after he makes that statement he goes on to argue that existance is completely independant of what he thinks about it.
But initially what he is really saying is that because he can think, he must be - if nothing else - that thing which is thinking. Even if he is being fooled, then he is that thing which is being fooled. That thing may be part of some other thing or a completely independant entity... but it must be a thing.
And because he is an identifiable thing which can be distinguished and to which things may be attributed, he therefore has some kind of existance. Just as any noun has SOME kind of existance.
Maybe it would be better if he said, "I think, therefore there exists some noun which is labelled, among other things, 'I'." Not as catchy.
2007-07-30 05:29:40 · answer #2 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm going to honor you question with an actual answer...
The whole idea behind the "Cogito Ergo Sum" argument is that it is impossible to stop thinking, besides the "to be fooled you need to exist"... it you are trying to stop thinking you are thinking about trying to... etc!!! Just because you are not identifying your thoughts and ideas that doesn't mean you are not thinking! But it makes for a good bar joke right?!?!
However I agree with Q-Ball above...
2007-07-30 04:56:43 · answer #3 · answered by ikiraf 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes. Both are true. If "I think therefore I am" is true, the exact opposite would automatically be true. (However, thoughts of not thinking are still thoughts.)
My mother told me that when she was a little girl, her mother told her that if she could kiss her elbow, she would instantly transform into a little boy. You can no more stop thinking than kiss your elbow.
Since it is not possible to stop thinking, or to kiss an elbow, both are equally true. You can no more kiss your elbow than you can stop thinking.
2007-07-30 05:31:17 · answer #4 · answered by Candidus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are now saying that we are not our thoughts, but the awareness of them. I think that's a nice update. That means you still exist, but if your not aware of anything you may not know it. You need something outside your awareness to experience your existence. Should I add, that may be why we are?
2007-07-30 05:16:05 · answer #5 · answered by hb12 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HAHAHAHA!
That was lol funny!
If only stuuf like that could really happen,i'd trick the person i liked least in2 saying he didn't think and poof he'd be gone and life wud b beautiful and sunshiny all the time!
(TeeHeeHee)
But alas, its impossible not to think...thats why u won't see pple levitating thru meditation coz we can't shutdown our brains!
I mean u cud say u don't think,but u'd still b thinkin 'bout how u said that and what s/1 else myt say in response to that statement,if u cud get away with saying stuff like that....etc
so i think u get what i mean,right? And in so thinking,I believe therefore i AM!!!!!
2007-07-30 05:45:37 · answer #6 · answered by aisha felynfils 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Okay, who told you that you exist?
2007-07-30 04:57:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I inspire therefore i exist! God.
2007-07-30 06:05:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋