IF the phrase " I think therefore I am'' is true, then if you don't think, are you not?

Question

it is a serious question, I think.

Answer 1

This is more easily understandable if one considers the actual scale of the components of an atom. If one takes into account the fact that the neutrons, protons and electrons of an atom actually have huge spaces between them it becomes clear that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are made up of 99+ percent empty space.

This alone does not seem too important till you add the idea that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are more of a loose conglomeration that share a similar attraction but never really touch each other.

At first glance this does not really seem relevant, but closer analysis reveals that this adds a tremendous amount of empty space to solid objects that are already made up of atoms that are 99 percent space. When so-called solid objects are seen in this light it becomes apparent that they can in no way be the seemingly solid objects they appear to be.

We ourselves are not exceptions to this phenomenon.

These seemingly solid objects are more like ghostly images that we interpret as solid objects based on our perceptual conclusions.

From this we must conclude that Perception is some sort of a trick that helps us to take these ghostly images and turn them into a world we can associate and interact with. This clever device seems to be a creation of our intellect that enables us to interact with each other in what appears to be a three dimensional reality.

I hope that helps to answered your question.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

Well no . One does not necessarily tie into the other. If I believe that because I think I am in existence that does not either prove nor negate YOUR existence or that of anybody else. It is a self-centered statement in that the speaker is proving his/her own existence to his/herself but not adressing, in that particulat statement, the existence or non-existence of anybody or anything else.

Another way to look at it though is that if you are hearing or reading said statement you must exist as well because how can someone/thing hear or read if it does not exist?

It is an interesting question. If you really are into that sort of questioning there is a book called "This is Not a Book" about philosophy and it is a fantastic intro for beginners.
I know it helped me.

Answer 3

No.

That's like saying if the phrase "if it's raining I will have an umbrella" is true then If it's not raining I won't have an umbrella. Well I never said that I wouldn't have an umbrella if it wasn't raining, simply that I would definitely have one if it was raining.

Same applies here that statement says that if you think then you exist, but it says nothing about whether you exist if you do not think.

This is called a vacuous truth. When you make a statement like " IF X then Y " if the X is false then the entire statement is true.

Answer 4

I think not, therefore you are not. Really though, that saying is about self awareness. And we are all self aware to some extent, some more than others. Most animals cannot recognize themselves in the mirror. Those who cannot are more instinctive and less thoughtful, like some people.

Answer 5

Unless you apply the implied meanings, strict logic leads you to a false conclusion.

I think therfore I am ( what I think or have been thinking).
If you don't think, you are not (what you didn't or haven't been thinking)

During Trancendental or other meditation, all thoughts are stopped or ignored and what you have is a feeling or consciousness of existance of your-self. Therefore, even if you don't think, you ( the self) still exist.

Answer 6

The main thing is you are not who you think you are. Your are not this material body, IE; Race, color, nationality, Religion, mind, intellect, senses, job, etc. We are all eternal spirit souls, part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, also known as Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Vishnu, etc. We never die, only this mortal body dies. This material world is not our real home, it is called Maya (illusion) and is temporary and full of misery, only one fourth of the souls come here, and the rest are enjoying blissful eternal loving relationships with our Maker named above. We fell here due to envying Gods position. He made the material world for those who want to try to live separately from Him (Which is impossible because He is actually everywhere). After many lifetimes of trying to be happy in this temporary world, one becomes frustrated and board and begins to question their existence. We then seek out real happiness, and when one becomes sincere God reveals how to come back Home. Those who are intelligent, take up the process of self realization (Bhakti Yoga), which begins with the chanting of the Maha Mantra, (the great mantra for deliverance from all suffering and illusion), which gives one real peace, happiness and reality. Then at the end of life, they can give up all material attachments and fully surrender to God and return to the eternal Kingdom, where there is no more birth, death, old age, or disease and be eternally happy. For info. Go to harekrishnatemple.com Read Bhagavad Gita- As it is by Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada asitis.com can be read on line. I am so glad I know who I am and who I'm not.

Answer 7

This is kind of awkward and takes it out of context (in my view). "I think therefore I am" notice it is "I" not he, she, it, you, ect. If I think that then i obviously think, and if i know i think i know i exist. I can't know if anythign else thinks, because i can't experience their thinking. And from that everything could just be a result of MY thoughts, rather than a bunch of things exist with many different conciousnesses.

Answer 8

I don't remember the principle from my symbolic logic class in college, but the correct opposite of "I think, therefore I am" would be "I am not, therefore I don't think." Please don't ask me to find a symbolic logic text though. For that, I'd need the Glen Morangie.

Answer 9

Of course, what else? Can you even imagine of a non-existing thinking thing. (The obvious proviso is that by "thinking" is meant any sort of mind activity; but you alredy know that).

Answer 10

If you don't think...you are not. Have you ever heard the term 'brain dead'...there's a reason for that. Our thoughts indicate existence. If there is no thought...then what about us is "us"?