I Think, therefore I Exist

Originally credited to René Descartes is the statement “Cogito, ergo sum” meaning I think, therefore I am. Though he was wrongly credited, he never actually said this. Descartes only said, “Cogito, sum.” This translates to I think, I am. The therefore definitely adds a new meaning. But in reality, I don’t care. I’ve given this some thought as of late.

I’m in college right, and there are times when I feel absolutely stupid. Professors try to make you look stupid and put forth tests to confirm that. To have any success at this school, you either have to be super smart, or you have to give up any semblance of a life. Which I have now basically done. I sacrifice some school and some life, but now I’m working on top of things, and so my life is spread way to thin. But too much complaining.

There are some people that I talk to, when they open their mouths I wonder, do they put any thought into anything? I don’t mean this in any rude way. But you know what I’m talking about. I seriously wonder sometimes if people actually think, I mean I know they think, but I wonder if they have had a deep thought ever in their lives. I think one could exist without ever putting forth an original thought of their own.

On the other hand, everyone is always thinking about something, even if it is what nail color they should get for their manicure. It’s not possible to stop thought entirely. I wonder if we could stop thought, would it cause death? I believe that it would. Think about it, people in hospitals, the ones that are considered vegetables, they have no brain activity. Because of this, they have to be kept alive on a ventilator. They aren’t truly alive, a machine is what is doing it for them.

But is this really what Descartes means, that we have to think of we die. I don’t know. I can see another take. By thinking, we put out original thought, and if we actually voice that thought, we become and individual. Suddenly, we become a recognizable part of society. We are there. Thought gives us a name, thought helps us to live. We do more than just occupy space. When one thinks, one exists.