Re: Any philosophers out there?

["Garrett Michael Hayes" <ghayes@cslinc.com>]

On 17 Jul 96 at 9:34, DTrimboli@aol.com wrote:

> So, when I say {jIQubtaH vaj jIH}, I am not saying "I think
> therefore I exist," which is not the point of the original, but
> rather, "I think, I am actually conscious of my actions and what
> they mean, therefore I am an entity separate from the rest of the
> universe."  In "I think, therefore I am," the "I am" refers to the
> state of being a closed, individual part of the universe, separate
> from it. 

Actually, I believe you have it backwards.  Descarte was indeed
concerned the with *fact* of existence, not with separation from the
rest of the universe.  

"How do I know that I exist?"  was the question with which he
grappled.  He reasoned thus:  It is quite possible to doubt that the
external universe we see and touch has any reality.  It is very
possible to doubt that I am correct in how I perceive my physical
structure.  But given the mere fact of my thoughts, I cannot doubt my
*existence*.  I may be unable to prove anything else, but that I 
exist, I do know.

'etlhqengwI'
(vuDmeywIjvaD jIngoy' jiH'e')