I think, therefore I am

I Think, Therefore I Am. – Philosophical words, from SOCRATES, but questioned by certain quarters that such a person named Socrates even existed! But that’s not my topic of discussion today. This philosophical postulation is often quoted and attributed to Socrates, and Desiderata would similarly cite the same authority unless someone of authority proved me wrong.

Taking poetic licence to its extreme, I postulate: Socrates thought, therefore he was. He existed.

I had not quite understood “Cogito, ergo sum” (that’s Latin for I Think, Therefore I Am.), so well until last night.I have pondered over this saying since my youth. I sometimes wondered whether that ALL humans think. But I do not wonder if humans exist.

Here, I can only speak for myself. I do think. Therefore I am; therefore I indeed exist.

The moment I stop thinking, I breathe my last, I no more exist. And I would like to postpone that moment as long as possible.


So to one regular Reader who often partakes of conversations at Desiderata, SWEETSPIRIT – I thank her for that moment of sweet realisation, and I add:

It is sad but true
You can’t do nothin’
You can’t think nothin’
You can’t not care.


To put into context, SweetSpirit from Down Under, has commented on my Post yesterday titled do nothin’, think nothin’,
with a succinct one-liner,via Comments:


If only it was that easy

Indeed, it was not that easy. I could only try it for a day -- do nothin', think nothin', that is.

After all, we need to put on our thinkingcap everyday to cope with Life's ups and downs. We can't escape the rat race; we can't avoid competition; we can't live on air and sunshine alone -- we need to fight for the almighty ringgit to buy us the three square meals a day. So we have to think, we have to do.

But do we have to care?

THAT IS THE BIG and COMMON DILEMMA challenging many adults today -- especially parents -- and children, and more so, teenagers and youths. In fields of studies, relationships, making friends, breaking up, and the perennial tests of growing up, and loving for forever and ever, and the heartbreaking betrayals. Et tu, Brute! remember?

So Desiderata has no choice but resume his thinkin', doin', but the CARIN', it is a question mark. You know why? Except for the 10 fingers on my two friends with which I number myGOODfriends, I generally am NOT INCLINED TO CARE ANYMORE! Sad maybe, but increasingly true.

If that disappoints, I owe no one any apologies, for I'm a God-Fearing Man, and I believe He Understands. He DOES, He THINKS, He CARES.



PS: I would specially like SweetSpirit to further add to today's post; to GINGER too, who sparked off this POETicRUMination with her Poem on July 6 from up north where the char-kuey-teow is the best. I promise Conversationists -- hey Imran,and YoungSabrina, art thou game? to spend a while, "Penny for your thoughts?" -- to treat thee to a piping hot glass of Haridas' teh tarik with a pinch of ginger! Even two, as I just received my pay from thinkin' and doing' for mGf's newspaper somewhere where the people, especially the YoungOnes -- still have a yen for exquisite English and Life!