"I think, therefore I am."
2007-08-23 03:44:44 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
Supposedly animals don't have the ability to think, reason, plan or plot other than by natural instincts. Man better understands his role in the universe, is aware of the past, the ramifications of his decisions and can plan for his future. Without intelligence and the ability to communicate as we do, we wouldn't recognize what we are - we could neither understand ("I think") nor express ("...therefore I am.")
On a psychological level, it could mean "I function in life through my intellect - not my emotions."
Or, more philosophically - from A Course in Miracles:
You may believe that you are responsible for what you do,
but not for what you think.
The truth is that you are responsible for what you think,
because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice.
What you do comes from what you think.
I think, therefore I am - or - I am what I think.
2007-08-23 04:07:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's pretty useless. It's true, obviously, but it is obvious to the extent that it doesn't actually give you any new information or direction.
When I heard someone re-arrange the quote to "I am, therefore I'll think", I realized that this was much more useful as a principle on which to plan and conduct my life.
2007-08-23 13:50:06 · answer #2 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it means that: because I think, and have a brain, I am a being. I am accounted for and exist. I really do not know for sure, it can mean so many different things, it is such a broad quote; it is not clear or specific at all. I guess it means what you want it to mean. I think my answer is totally crazy, but all the good ones were taken. :-)
2007-08-26 23:21:19 · answer #3 · answered by Stacy K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Existence.
2007-08-27 07:31:43 · answer #4 · answered by cockroachdavis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
didnt a scientist say that so to me it sounds like it means i think therefore i am alive and i am evolved
2007-08-23 10:53:42 · answer #5 · answered by Suicidal Tendencies 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me it means that if you have a positive attitude/outlook, then you will have a positive outcome. Kind of like the Little Engine that Could. "I think I can I think I can I think I can"
2007-08-23 10:53:32 · answer #6 · answered by erinpaige98 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well to me it means the fact that I can reason, comprehend and consider means that I am able to be a valuable human being.
When we act without thinking the consequences are never positive, reasonable orconsiderate.
2007-08-23 11:29:17 · answer #7 · answered by jambutty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've always loved that quote. there are so many ways to interpret that...it would make a hot tattoo also. maybe in latin or something
2007-08-23 10:53:12 · answer #8 · answered by Angelface 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think, I am smart, there for I am smart. I think I am beautiful there for I am beautiful. It means you can be what ever you think you can be,
2007-08-23 12:49:19 · answer #9 · answered by ruth4526 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to me it means that a person acts as his/hers rationale lead him/her
2007-08-23 10:56:07 · answer #10 · answered by Cukis 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋