The doubt of the first mediation has left us with spinning heads and suffocating uncertainty about all aspects of reality and existence. Finding some singular, even if simple and small conclusion of truth may act as the lifesaver to which we cling and begin to build a raft on these turbulent waters of doubt. This is the importance of the cogito. Cogito is the immovable point from which all else must rest and from which the truths of the world will be founded for nothing else is certain except on the basis of I. It is, as Hatfield puts it, “the first principle” and is foundationalist (101). For any truth to be found and understood we must first establish a basis from which to build from. A flawed foundation or weak base will crumble and disrepute all that has been built on it. Whether I am being deceived by myself or by some outside force it is still I who am being deceived. To be deceived I have to exist even if nothing else I was once formerly so certain of exists or is real. Then Hatfield also says that the cogito is Descartes’ metaphorical fulcrum because there is also the possibility that one truth is attached to other truths and that discovering one will lead to the discovery of others (101). The second strand of the argument leads me to question if one truth necessarily begets another truth or intrinsically is attached to other truths then is there one reality in which all truths lie?
But I am also led to wonder if there is a distinction between thought and I. I feel as though thought is one thing and I, as born from thought, are not one in the same. When I think of me, I, myself, it clings to an image of my corpulent, physical being. And not only that, but my personality and preferences. Upon the simple base of thought has been built up this image of self, an image based in our relation to all those things that have just been previously jaded by Descartes’ shadowy and pervasive doubt. Are thought, I, and self all distinct entities some real and some not?
So, although only more questions have been the result of the cornerstone cogito, it acts as the antidote to the rather depressing doubt of the first meditation and the most solid place to stand to begin to better see the whole of reality and existence unmasked.
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Well it seems there is agreement on the fact that for this to be Archimedean point that it must be the cornerstone of something "great". However, it seems we do not yet know what exactly such a monolithic philosophical point could uncover. I suppose it may uncover more than we may initially realize, since I believe it helps understand the function of humans and thus may guide us in a certain direction due to a better understanding of ourselves. Considering Descartes belief that we all maintain the same capacity for reason and that thought proves our existence, I can't help but think later philosophers such as Kant owe a great deal to this "Archimedian" point. Especially, at least, since so many ethicists use reason as a basis for moral worth, and since ethics are how we shape our politics, the cogito obviously plays a role in how we shape ourselves.
I just got an email about the assignment due tonight at 6. I am in Pittsburgh however and am about to take a bus back to school (I was planning on doing the reading on the bus) my blog won't be up at 6 but it should be by late tonight if that's ok. If it's not I guess just comment on someone elses. Thanks! - Lennon
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