As I understand it, Terry, Decartes sought to eliminate everything that was changeful as "other than I Am " (and, ultimately, unreal by Absolute Standards) in an attempt to identify the Essential or True Nature of Being. Or to paraphrase a number of Eastern Sage: "The Real never changes (or dies) and the unreal never truly is (or lives).
In the process, Decartes defined "thinking" (or at last that's what it translated to in English) as the "fundamental stuff of Being"; however, since "I can Be without thinking about Being," I would suggest going"one step further" and saying that it is Consciousness (or the Awareness I Am in and of Itself) that is Fundamental (at least with respect to Being and/or Existence) and that thought (or thinking, as a relative state of Consciousness or Being) is Secondary.
Then again, as suggested above, it is entirely possible that Decartes was really pointing to Consciousness of Being Itself when he said, "I think, therefore I am,"; for, I would suggest, that Decartes dictum might be more truly stated by reversing the order of precedence to, " I Am, therefore, I think."
Please provide details below to help Gather review this content. If it is found to be inappropriate and in violation of the Gather Terms of Service, action will be taken.
Please select the part of the post you are reporting.
Please select why you are reporting this content.
Please enter a description.
You have successfully submitted a report for this post.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 6
The group: We Comment Back
In the process, Decartes defined "thinking" (or at last that's what it translated to in English) as the "fundamental stuff of Being"; however, since "I can Be without thinking about Being," I would suggest going"one step further" and saying that it is Consciousness (or the Awareness I Am in and of Itself) that is Fundamental (at least with respect to Being and/or Existence) and that thought (or thinking, as a relative state of Consciousness or Being) is Secondary.
Then again, as suggested above, it is entirely possible that Decartes was really pointing to Consciousness of Being Itself when he said, "I think, therefore I am,"; for, I would suggest, that Decartes dictum might be more truly stated by reversing the order of precedence to, " I Am, therefore, I think."
Although I had originally planned on only doing HOTD for a year (and then making a book out of it), I don't believe I could stop if I wanted to.
Thanks to you as well, Sammie!