Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, mathematician, scientist, and writer of the 17th century, criticized the scholastic philosophy of his era. Although this philosophy was rooted in Aristotle’s teachings, Descartes argued that it lacked significance as it exclusively addressed abstract philosophical inquiries.
Descartes, known as the “Father of Modern Philosophy,” sought to create a new comprehensive system for unifying all knowledge in response to his dissatisfaction with current systems. His famous dictum, “Cogito Ergo Sum” or “I think, therefore I am,” is closely linked to him. The question arises regarding whether this principle can genuinely prove the existence of anything. Personally, I firmly believe in the undeniable truth of the phrase “cogito.”
If you question the existence or purpose of anything, contemplate the meaning of life, or wonder if you are real, consider this: by engaging in self-examination, you establish your own existence as a complex creature. The fact that you have these thoughts proves that you exist. The questions about self-purpose, meaning, and the existence of God would be nonsensical without your existence. Only you can prove your own existence, and this proof is unique to you. The simple truth is that as an individual, your ability to think confirms your reality.
And if you doubt your existence, who is doing the doubting? According to Descartes, the ability to doubt one’s own existence implies the presence of a real thinking individual contemplating the question. Descartes innovatively used doubt as a means to seek truth. He aimed to establish certainty in his knowledge by questioning everything he knew. Consequently, he concluded that he could not trust information obtained through his senses, as they can occasionally be deceptive or misleading.
A straight stick may appear curved when placed in water, leading to the realization that there is one undeniable fact: our existence. Every thought, regardless of its reliability, serves as evidence of our existence as sentient beings.
