Single Idea 12905

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 4. The Cogito]

Full Idea

I am assured that as long as I think, I am myself. For I cannot think that I do not exist, nor exist so that I be not myself.

Gist of Idea

I cannot think my non-existence, nor exist without being myself

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Antoine Arnauld [1686], 1686.05.13)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'The Leibniz-Arnauld Correspondence', ed/tr. Mason,HT/Parkinson,GHR [Manchester UP 1967], p.33


A Reaction

Elsewhere he qualifies the Cogito, but here he seems to straighforwardly endorse it.