Philosophy / Unit 2 Philosophy 0059 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Cogito
Captions available
The idea
Descartes' cogito: I think, therefore I am. Even a total deceiver cannot make me wrong about my own existing, while I think it.
In practice
Doubt everything—the doubting remains. The demon needs someone to deceive.
Where people slip
The cogito certifies a thinking thing exists—not a body, a past, or a world. The rebuild starts nearly empty-handed.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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