Monday, May 11, 2015

Quote of the Week

I think therefore I am - René Descartes (1596 – 1650)


Image Source: Wikipedia
This sprang from the conclusion that while what he was thinking might be wrong, the fact that he was thinking proved that he existed.

After he was satisfied that he did, indeed, exist, he went on to ponder in what form he existed.  He knew himself to exist as a thinking thing but at that point was not sure whether he actually had a body.

 Perhaps he did not have a mirror in which to see himself. But philosophically speaking, he may not trust what his eyes beheld...or did he have eyes?

 I don't pretend to understand philosophy, but I believe that it calls for deep thinking. That is the reason for many of the quotes I choose...to make us think beyond just the surface, or the face value of the words.

 This post goes out today to my nephew who graduated this past weekend with degrees in philosophy and mathematics. Chris, we are very proud of you and your accomplishments.




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6 comments:

  1. Christine5/11/2015 01:24:00 PM

    We all need to challenge our brain cells, big or small!
    You are helping to just that.
    Congratulations Chris!

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    1. Linda5/11/2015 05:17:00 PM

      Thanks Christine, I'm glad you enjoy the mental exercise that comes from looking deeper into these quotes. Just like a lot of things, there is often more than meets the eye in the words.

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  2. Sara5/14/2015 03:18:00 PM

    Congratulations to your nephew! I liked how you explained this quote. To be honest, it has always been confusing to me. Then again, I failed the one philosophy course I took:~( Don't tell your nephew!

    I do enjoy the quotes you put up here and I LOVE the way you explain them for me. Plus, there have been quite a few I've copied to keep in my quote folder. So thank you:~)

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    1. Linda5/15/2015 09:47:00 AM

      Thanks Sara! I am glad you enjoy the quotes. I certainly don't understand philosophy, but doing these quotes and interpretations has made me think too, and that's always a good thing.

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  3. Katherine5/14/2015 10:15:00 PM

    Congratulations to Chris! That is something to be VERY proud of!

    When I read the quote I was very eager to continue because I had NO idea what he meant in that quote. That is actually quite fascinating! It is indeed deep.... I read what you wrote a few times just to absorb it. :)

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    1. Linda5/15/2015 09:54:00 AM

      Hi Katherine, I have heard this for years without knowing who said it or what was meant by it. It is deep, and I would have never given consideration to whether or not I existed or had a body. It just seems obvious to me. Maybe not to a philosopher, though.

      Chris is a very smart, accomplished young man, and we are all proud of him.

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