Descartes' Principles

The First Principle

Everyone has heard René Descartes most famous axiom, “I think therefore I am”. But, few people realize the full context and profound importance of this truth.

Here is a translation of the greater context of what Descartes actually wrote:

“I observed that, whilst I thus wished to think that all was false, it was absolutely necessary that I, who thus thought, should be somewhat; and as I observed that this truth, I think, therefore I am, was so certain of such evidence, that no ground of doubt, however extravagant, could be alleged by the sceptics capable of shaking it, I conclude that I might, without scruple, accept it as the first principle of the philosophy of which I was in search.”

First of all, it is important to realize that the basis of Descartes famous assertion, as is clearly indicated above, is that, “all was false”, which is to say that nothing we experience can be considered anything more than an illusion. Forget that modern science (i.e. quantum physics) bears this out; it is self evident to any careful thinker. As Descartes himself puts it elsewhere:

“What is there then that can be considered true? Perhaps this only, that nothing is certain.”

And I myself have often stated, “The only thing I know for sure is that I know nothing for sure; except I am.”

The “except I am” is my own expression of Descartes famous aforementioned axiom. Of course he actually wrote in Latin, “cogito ergo sum”. But, contemporary historians note that the correct form is, “cogito cogitationes, ergo sum”, or “cogito me cogitare, ergo sum”. Using these forms, then a better translation that more correctly reflects what Descartes was trying to say is, “I am aware, therefore I am”. Or, more precisely, “I am cognizant, therefore I am”.

The importance of this “first principle” is that there is nothing else we can be certain of, except that we exist! But Descartes did not just stop there. He went on to ask, what can be derived from this most basic truth? And while that is presently about the extent of my knowledge of Descartes, I myself can derive a second, third, and even fourth principle from his well established first.

The Second Principle

The first principle is, “ I am cognizant, therefore I must exist”. From this it is possible to derive other important information about our existence.

For example, if I exist – as the first principle claims – then I must also be eternal. The basis for this second principle is as unshakeable as the first. Since clearly anything with a beginning (and hense an end) cannot be said to exist at all. “If it has a beginning, then it has an end; and if it has an end, then it already has.” Anything that is not eternal is only an illusion in time (and space), and therefore does not exist. So, if I exist, then I am eternal. This is what I call the second principle.

So, I do not need to be cognizant of my eternal nature in order to know that I am eternal. It is as self evident as the first principle.

The Third Principle

The first principle says, I exist; and the second, I am eternal. So a third principle now becomes apparent, and is really only an extension of the second principle.

If I am eternal (in time) then I must also be infinite (in space) since space and time are essentially the same thing (which mystics have been saying long before Einstein came along and proved it mathematically).

Since I am infinite, the I know there is nothing that is not me! This is critically important, because it informs us that everything we experience is as much a part of who we are as anything else we experience. I am you, and you are me. To realize this in your heart is to be enlightened. To realize it in your mind is just another illusion.

The Fourth Principle

The fourth principle flows naturally from the first three: I exist, I am eternal, and I am infinite, therefore there is nothing that I am not.

I am who I am, I am the creator of all that I experience. I do not need to be aware of my devine nature, or my infinite power. The fact, whether I realize it or not, is that I am God.

Realizing this truth is incredibly humbling. In fact, if you think you are God, but you are not humbled by the thought, then you simply do not yet realize the truth of it.

From this truth wisdom flows. As God, we can plainly see the folly of judging others, and realize how by doing so we are literally judging ourselves. We learn the value, and power of forgiveness, not as a rule, but a devine law that can never be broken. We see that all struggle is futile and pointless. Peace becomes our nature, since to struggle makes no sense to someone who truly realizes they can never die.