“I Think, Therefore, I am” EXPLAINED | Rene Descartes Meditations and Discourse on Method

The philosopher Rene Descartes is responsible for the popular saying “I think, therefore I am”. But what is the significance of this quote? To answer this question, we need to turn our attention towards two of his works, the Meditations on First Philosophy and his Discourse on Method.
In the Meditations, Descartes is searching for a belief which he can be certain in. He’s looking for a foundation to build off of which isn’t tainted by doubt. To do this, he critically analyzes many beliefs we hold and finds room for doubt in them. Eventually he comes across one belief he cannot doubt, that he thinks. Because he thinks, there must be a subject to do that thinking, therefore, he exists.
To find the specific phrase, “I think, therefore I am,” we need to look at part four of the Discourse on Method. #philosophy #descartes #cogito

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[Cambo-jhir]

"I think, therefore i *AM* "

-some crazy A.I.

[The-Inner-Self]

Glad I discovered you. I wasn't aware of the journey Descartes went on to arrive at his famous statement. The interpretation of our own thoughts are the only thing we can be sure of - not material reality, not the originator of our thoughts (the unconscious / subconscious), just the direct experience of the thoughts being present in the current moment.

While obviously the "demon" theory of the origin of our thoughts is likely false, I think it's a good allegory for the uncontrolled mind. Sometimes we are afflicted by compulsive rumination and repetition of words, and creating a separation between the interpreter and the origin is extremely useful and important.

Thanks for sharing 👍

[Nathan-telq]

Nice, succinct video! Starting to work through your catalog now. I think you provide some great examples and keep the content focused. Wondering if you have any intention of doing a video on phenomenology or some of the major phenomenologists like Husserl, Heidegger, or Merleau-Ponty. Descartes is always a popular topic when discussing phenomenology, so it jumped into my head. Keep up the great work!

[markwrede]

As Apollo is to Art, so is the Self to Thought. Descartes introduces assumption into his reasoning because doubt is an action that may not require a doubter. Buddha finds the opposite of Descartes.

[Windolon]

I'm kind of new to philosophy and these videos are a nice introduction to different philosopher's views, theories or whatever you call them. Loving these videos. Great work!

[DavidStill-kx]

This is only half the true statement of DeCardes.

'I think, therefore, I am you disagree therefore you are too. '

[lukestevenson]

And what if you don't think? He should have asked this question like the Brahmin's.

[RealYukiSan]

3:23 how about lucid dream? the dreamer fully aware that he's dreaming

[dinojoe]

I wouldn’t mind learning about some objections to Descartes’ conclusion. Where I come from, most of my classmates straight up reject the mind-body distinction and Descartes entirely.

One thing I always wondered however is what we mean here by “I”

[gillcelt]

I am, therefore I think. This seems more fitting.

[SuccessMindset]

Factual way to explain any beliefs is the quote: “I think therefore I am”

[siddhartharoy]

you're very underrated, you got a new sub, i am looking forward for you're videos hoping this comment finds you healthy or whatever, keep it up bro

[thegreatlatinobambino]

"If you have to be persuaded, reminded, bullied, pressured,
incentivized, lied to, guilt tripped, cohersed, socially shamed,
Censored, threatened, paid, and
Criminalized, if all
Of this is necessary to gain your compliance, you can
Be
Absolutely certain what is being promoted is not in your best interest, to whom understand the truth I love you guys,
You remind me that I'm not going crazy, and
That the state of affairs of our time is
Abhorrently pathological, I wish you all
And myself the strength to endure what is to come." ~ Larry Lee.

[howardlee]

We're just a program and somebody else's computer

[gracefitzgerald]

Your videos are always a pleasure. BTW dahling compliments will get you everywhere.

[RenChan]

Thanks a lot! That is a video I would show anyone who wants to get a founded clear introduction to Descartes. Just one criticism/wish: It would be great if you could add page numbers for the quotes as well as the bibliography. For the academic discourse it is easier to contextualise if you know where the quote is from.

[MW-mevn]

Well made videos keep up the awesome work! New sub

[BaritoneUkeBeastLife]

Descartes was wrong. He had it all backwards. He should have said I am, therefore I think, not the other way around. First things first. Number one, I am, everything else is secondary. It is like the ignorant scientists who are backwards in their understanding of Consciousness. They believe that the brain generates and creates Consciousness, when in reality Consciousness is all there is and Consciousness creates the appearance of everything else including all perceived objects. Consciousness comes first then it creates the perception of a body, brain, and the illusion of a person, etc.