University of Central Florida (UCF) PSY4604 History and Systems of Psychology Practice Test 1

Descartes proposed the famous philosophical statement "Cogito, ergo sum," which translates to "I think, therefore I am." This assertion is foundational in his epistemology, as it highlights that the very act of doubting or thinking serves as evidence of one's existence. In his method of radical doubt, Descartes systematically questioned all of his beliefs in order to arrive at something that could not be doubted. The conclusion he drew was that while many things could be called into question, the existence of the self as a thinking being could not be denied. Thus, by doubting everything, he ultimately confirmed his own existence as a thinking entity. This interpretation aligns directly with the understanding that the process of doubt itself is a form of cognitive activity that necessitates a thinker, thereby affirming that the act of doubting is a confirmation of one’s existence.