Observations placeholder
Descartes, Rene - I think therefore I am
Identifier
002941
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Rene Descartes – Key Philosophical Writings
What of thinking? I find here that thought is an attribute that belongs to me; it alone cannot be separated from me. I am; I exist, that is certain. But how often? Just when I think? For it might possibly be the case if I ceased entirely to think, that I should likewise cease altogether to exist. I do not now admit anything which is not necessarily true; to speak accurately I am not more than a thing which thinks, that is to say a mind or a soul, or an understanding, or a reason, which are terms whose significance was formerly unknown to me. I am, however, a real thing and really exist, but what thing?
I have answered - a thing which thinks