I think therefore I am

“I think therefore I am” is one of the most famous philosophical sayings around. Descartes made this famous saying in Discourse on the Method. Most people have heard it, many will not attribute it to Descartes. He was making a simple statement about doubt and the existence of the world he perceived around him. He could only be certain that he existed because to doubt otherwise would be a paradox. To think requires existence, so to attempt to take the position that nothing existed would be false. Therefore he at least must exist (or to be more accurate I exist).

Interesting position to take. I was in discussion after one or too many beers with an old colleague who stated that he thought Philosophy to be pointlss. There are a number of definitions of Philosophy but the one I think fits best is “Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods”. In short I think Philosophy is about rational thought. There are many fields of Philosophy but what it comes down to is just thinking.

Now maybe Philosophy is a waste of time. It is in itself an interesting point to think through and debate. But to write off ‘thinking’ in such a general way is an odd position to take. Remember “I think therefore I am”. Stop thinking and where does that leave you?

There are a few ways to answer that question. But to do so would invalidate his argument if he tried so I do not expect to be hearing from him soon on this point.