I Am, Therefore I Think… Or So I Think
"I am, therefore I think." This twist on Descartes' famous "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am) isn’t just a clever play on words…
"I am, therefore I think." This twist on Descartes' famous "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am) isn’t just a clever play on words. It’s a profound shift in perspective, suggesting that existence precedes and influences thought, rather than the other way around. But what the hell does that actually mean in the big picture of things?
Are we really defining our existence simply by the virtue of our thoughts? Or is there something more inherently 'us' that drives these thoughts?
Let's dive deep into this rabbit hole.
Traditionally, Descartes’ philosophy puts thinking at the forefront of existence. His idea suggests that our ability to think is proof of our existence.
But come on, is it not a bit narrow?
What about the silent moments, the unthought feelings, the intuitive actions that seem to spring from somewhere deeper than conscious thought?
This is where "I am, therefore I think" kicks in.
The statement implies that our existence, our very being, is the starting point. It’s not just our thoughts that define us, but our experiences, our emotions, our biology, and our interactions with the world.
When we flip the script, we start to see ourselves not as thinking machines but as beings whose thoughts are part of a larger, more complex system of existence.
Consider this: Before you can even form a thought, you exist. You're breathing, your heart is beating, you're perceiving the world around you.
Your thoughts are a response to your existence, not the other way around.
This perspective aligns more closely with the concept of EchoSpectivism, where the focus is on embracing the entirety of our being and experience, not just the intellectual part.
This shift in perspective has profound implications. It suggests that our thoughts, while significant, are just one aspect of our existence. It hints at a deeper, more intrinsic value to life that goes beyond rationalization and cognition.
We're not just thinking creatures; we're feeling, sensing, reacting beings.
Take religion, for instance.
For some, God is an external entity, a divine overseer. But from an EchoSpectivist viewpoint, God could be seen as a projection of the mighty self, the inner universe that each of us carries.
Religion, then, becomes a narrative framework, a way to make sense of the inexplicable, to give voice to the voiceless thoughts and feelings that emanate from our being.
In a world obsessed with rationality, we often forget the power of simply being. We’re driven to analyze, dissect, and understand, often overlooking the fundamental miracle of existence.
Yes, our thoughts shape our realities, but they are ultimately secondary to the fact of our being.
Now, when we say, “I am, therefore I think,” we’re acknowledging the primacy of existence. We’re recognizing that our thoughts, beliefs, and even our doubts are rooted in the rich, fertile soil of our being.
It’s a call to embrace the absurdity of life, to find joy in the inexplicable, and to seek understanding not just through thought, but through the full spectrum of human experience.
If we start with "I am," acknowledging our existence as the primary fact, we open ourselves to a broader understanding of what it means to be human.
It's not just our intellect that defines us, but our capacity for emotion, our physical experiences, and our interactions with the world.
So, are we merely the sum of our thoughts? Hell no.
We’re a complex cocktail of experiences, emotions, biology, and yes, thoughts. "I am, therefore I think" is a reminder that our existence is rich, multifaceted, and not solely defined by our ability to reason.
In the grand cosmic joke of life, we are both the punchline and the audience, fully living the absurdity and beauty of existence. And that, my friends, are my real fucking thoughts. Therefore… I Am.
EchoSpectivism Unleashed: Embracing the Absurdity of Certainty
Why Do We Cling to the Illusion of Certainty in an Uncertain World?medium.com
Free Will: You Have It & You Don't
Let’s ponder over what Brian casually dropped in our laps in a tweet some time ago, but was asked about it on StarTalk…medium.com