“I think, therefore I am.” You will have heard this phrase before, but do you know what it means? Perhaps you do. But did you know there is considerable scholarly debate in interpreting it? Did you know it is considered by some to be a mistranslation?
And why exactly was the man who said it — René Descartes — quite so popular? He is sometimes called “the father or modern philosophy”. What makes him so important… and who cares?
I am joined today by John Cottingham, an English philosopher and Descartes expert, to explore these questions. I studied Prof. Cottingham’s work while I was a student of early modern philosophy, and was delighted that he agreed.
If you are looking for a place to start in studying philosophy, or have been doing so for some time and want some clarity on this important French philosopher, I hope you find this episode enjoyable and of use.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Who Was René Descartes?
5:06 - Descartes’ Use of Doubt
11:48 - I Think, Therefore I Am
19:47 - Descartes’ Idea of God
32:34 - Descartes’ Proof of God
45:49 - How Descartes Uses God
51:42 - Objection: The Problem of Error
55:32 - Objection: The Cartesian Circle
1:03:07 - Objection: Certainty is Not the Same as Truth
01:08:41 - Descartes’ Ontological Argument
01:22:15 - Mind-Body Dualism
01:36:10 - Descartes and Animal Souls
