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Descartes cannot doubt his own existence, as captured in his famous statement "Cogito, ergo sum" - "I think, therefore I am."

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What does Cogito Ergo Sum mean and what conclusion does it leave Descartes with?

The one thing that Descartes couldn't doubt was his thoughts, he thinks there for he is. To be a good philosopher, you need to be skeptical (to ask a lot of questions), Descartes asked questions then doubted them. That brought in dualism. He is considered one of the greatest thinkers of the enlightenment period.


Does Descartes show we aren't dreaming?

Descartes' philosophy on reality actually shows that we cannot for sure know that we aren' dreaming. In fact, Descartes believed that we are not sure of anything, except for the fact that we exist because we use logic and reason. Sorry that this doesn't answer your question, but the point of this ideology is for others to try to show Descartes how we know FOR CERTAIN that we are not dreaming right now....harder to do than one would think.


Can you provide a famous quote by Descartes and explain its significance in his philosophy?

One famous quote by Descartes is "Cogito, ergo sum" which means "I think, therefore I am." This quote signifies Descartes' emphasis on the importance of doubt and skepticism in the pursuit of knowledge. It highlights the idea that the act of thinking proves one's existence, as the very act of doubting or thinking about one's existence implies that one must exist in some form. This quote is a foundational concept in Descartes' philosophy, as it serves as the starting point for his method of doubt and his quest for certain knowledge.


Descartes method of doubt?

Essentially, Descartes' philosophy was based on the notion of methodical doubt, that is, to doubt absolutely everything that one could not be absolutely certain of. Descartes considered the principal weakness of his predecessor's philosophy to be its subjectivity. He felt that the premises from which previous philosophers deduced truths were not necessarily accurate, and thus did not provide any intellectual certainty. Consequently, Descartes used methodical doubt as the starting point for his philosophy.


What do you think René Descartes meant when he said I think therefore I am?

Descartes meant that the act of thinking itself proves one's existence. By doubting everything, including the existence of the external world, he concludes that the fact that he is able to doubt and think means he must exist as a thinking thing.

Related Questions

What one thing was impossible for Descartes to doubt?

Descartes found it impossible to doubt his own existence. The reason for this was that he felt that thoughts had to come from himself.


What was the method employed by Descartes in order to find an absolute starting point for building up your knowledge?

Systematic doubt. Descartes could doubt everything except for one thing - his own existence. Cogito ergo sum - "I think, therefore I am" - became his first principle.


What was the ONE thing Descartes could be certain of And why?

i am i exist


What does Cogito Ergo Sum mean and what conclusion does it leave Descartes with?

The one thing that Descartes couldn't doubt was his thoughts, he thinks there for he is. To be a good philosopher, you need to be skeptical (to ask a lot of questions), Descartes asked questions then doubted them. That brought in dualism. He is considered one of the greatest thinkers of the enlightenment period.


Does Descartes show we aren't dreaming?

Descartes' philosophy on reality actually shows that we cannot for sure know that we aren' dreaming. In fact, Descartes believed that we are not sure of anything, except for the fact that we exist because we use logic and reason. Sorry that this doesn't answer your question, but the point of this ideology is for others to try to show Descartes how we know FOR CERTAIN that we are not dreaming right now....harder to do than one would think.


What was one thing that Descartes was certain about?

René Descartes was certain about his own existence, famously encapsulated in the phrase "Cogito, ergo sum," which translates to "I think, therefore I am." He concluded that the act of thinking is undeniable proof of one's own existence, as even doubt implies a thinking subject. This foundational belief became a cornerstone of his philosophical framework. Descartes used this certainty to build further arguments about knowledge and existence.


Can you provide a famous quote by Descartes and explain its significance in his philosophy?

One famous quote by Descartes is "Cogito, ergo sum" which means "I think, therefore I am." This quote signifies Descartes' emphasis on the importance of doubt and skepticism in the pursuit of knowledge. It highlights the idea that the act of thinking proves one's existence, as the very act of doubting or thinking about one's existence implies that one must exist in some form. This quote is a foundational concept in Descartes' philosophy, as it serves as the starting point for his method of doubt and his quest for certain knowledge.


Descartes method of doubt?

Essentially, Descartes' philosophy was based on the notion of methodical doubt, that is, to doubt absolutely everything that one could not be absolutely certain of. Descartes considered the principal weakness of his predecessor's philosophy to be its subjectivity. He felt that the premises from which previous philosophers deduced truths were not necessarily accurate, and thus did not provide any intellectual certainty. Consequently, Descartes used methodical doubt as the starting point for his philosophy.


What do you think René Descartes meant when he said I think therefore I am?

Descartes meant that the act of thinking itself proves one's existence. By doubting everything, including the existence of the external world, he concludes that the fact that he is able to doubt and think means he must exist as a thinking thing.


Who said that everything else was doubtful until proved by reason?

René Descartes is often associated with the quote "dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum," which translates to "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am." This reflects his belief that one can only trust in their own existence based on the process of reason and doubt.


What Descartes concept of systematic doubt led to the famous saying Cogito ergo sum which means?

Descartes' systematic doubt was a method of questioning all beliefs to find the foundational truth. This process led him to his famous saying, "Cogito ergo sum," which translates to "I think, therefore I am." It highlights the certainty of one's existence as a thinking being, even in the face of doubt about everything else.


How many children did René Descartes have?

Descartes had one daughter.