COGITO ERGO SUM

From My Perspective - - -

Rene Descartes, a 17th Century Philosopher, expressed the concept “I Think, Therefore I Am” (cogito ergo sum). His rationale was: If I am able to think, therefore I must exist. It implies that anyone capable of any form of thought necessarily exists. Is this a true measure of rational, reasonable and meaningful thought? Is this approach predominantly subjective rather than objective? For the one doing the thinking, does it matter what is being thought and why it is being considered for validity? What about the person who doubts, does that one have an invalid basis of thought? When the Bible gives a guideline for meaningful and purposeful thought (Philippians 4:8-9),  “…whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice…” Would this be the acceptable criteria for valid thought?

In a column published on May 7, 2013 in Instant Analysis, Thomas Sowell writes: “Words That Replace Thought.” Some of what he states is: “If there is ever a contest for words that substitute for thought, ‘diversity’ should be recognized as the undisputed world champion. You don't need a speck of evidence, or a single step of logic, when you rhapsodize about the supposed benefits of diversity. The very idea of testing this wonderful, magical word against something as ugly as reality seems almost sordid…” His concern is expressed as: “The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the government has a ‘compelling interest’ in promoting diversity -- apparently more compelling than the 14th Amendment's requirement of ‘equal protection’ of the law for everybody…” He then goes on to ask a basic question that challenges the notion of the need and place for diversity: “How does a racially homogeneous country like Japan manage to have high quality education, without the essential ingredient of diversity, for which there is supposedly a "compelling" need? Conversely, why does India, one of the most diverse nations on Earth, have a record of intergroup intolerance and lethal violence today that is worse than that in the days of our Jim Crow South? Even to ask such questions is to provoke charges of unworthy tactics, and motives too low to be dignified with an answer. Not that the true believers in diversity could answer anyway….” Sowell goes on to expand his thinking about “thought” by stating that words as a runner-up to “diversity” one finds the use of “fair” and “affordable” as the progressive “thought” of our day.

Not everyone who speaks and/or gives an opinion is necessarily one who possesses valid thought. An old critique of one who is constantly speaking and opining is – “he/she keeps speaking until they can think of something to say.” This is easily observed in a wide-range of venues – from the classroom to politics; from the church pew to the theological seats of learning; from the writing of a note to the authorship of tome – words and thoughts and opinions are multiplied regardless of the validity of concepts or the benefit to those who are hearing or reading such verbiage.

The Bible shares a terse and meaningful statement in Proverbs 10:19 (NASB), “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” In The Message Paraphrase, Proverbs 10:19-21 reads: “The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words. The speech of a good person is worth waiting for; the blabber of the wicked is worthless.The talk of a good person is rich fare for many, but chatterboxes die of an empty heart.” Proverbs 17:27-28 (NIV) adds: “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” Proverbs 18:21 amplifies: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” From A Purely Christian Perspective, how should one think and speak? What should be a Christian Purpose and Mission in life? Isaiah 50:4-5 focuses on the servant’s obedience: “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back…” Do you have an “instructed tongue”? Do your words “sustain the weary” (those who believe they are unwanted, unneeded, and unnecessary)? If not, why not? Consider these things with me.