Descartes said “Cogito Ergo Sum” or “I think, therefore I am”. Even though he did not use these words, his larger point was “Dubito, Ergo Cogito, Ergo Sum”, “I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am”. The thrust of Descartes’ argument was that certain things are inescapable. The fact that Descartes doubted that he existed, caused him to think and the fact that he had independent thought proved that he existed. He believed that perceptions were dubious at best, but his doubt distinguished him as an individual “thinking being”.
We no longer wonder about our existence. Of course, we exist! In our narcissism, other things only take on meaning as they relate to us. We too would indict Galileo. The world can’t revolve around the sun, because the universe revolves around us. We scramble Descartes argument. “Things only exist, if we think they do.” “I think, therefore it is!”
Just as doubt was Descartes proof of existence, feelings have become our litmus test of truth. “I feel, therefore it is true” or in the Latin “Cogito Ergo Ignoramus”.
But, if there is a truth, it is unchanged by how I feel about it. It stands, as my feeling and fantasies swirl, unchanged. Truth is unchanged by my perceptions, woundings and fears. Whether I admit this truth or not, I cannot change it or control it. (Romans 1:20) We declare that there is no absolute truth only because we fear putting our absolute trust in anyone or anything.
To out limited perspective, maybe the greatest truth cannot be defined a rational as much as it is relational. Although my existence and individualism maybe evidenced by my ability to doubt, I must wrestle my identity and hope for growth in a battle with trust. (John 14:1)
In Reality 