Descartes What Am? The Problem of Thinking Substance
In this video, we question what a human being is as “I” by starting from the famous statement of René Descartes, one of the cornerstones of modern philosophy, “Cogito, ergo sum” or “I think, therefore I am”. While seeking an answer to the question “What am I?”, Descartes details the separation of mind and body, the idea that thought is the basis of existence, and the state of existence of a human being as a “thinking substance”.
This video invites you to explore the nature of the human being, the origins of consciousness, and its relationship with self-awareness by explaining Descartes’ concept of “thinking substance”. According to Descartes, while bodily existence or sensory perceptions can be temporary and variable, thought forms the fundamental structure of who we are. So how did this philosophical stance of Descartes inspire modern thought? How can we make sense of the relationship between soul and body? We will discuss Descartes’ views on whether the mind can exist as a reality independent of the body and their echoes in modern philosophy, and together we will seek answers to the deepest questions in philosophy.
In this comprehensive review, we delve into the depths of the concept of “thinking substance” at the center of Descartes’ philosophy, and embark on an intellectual journey to understand the essence of man.