Q0330
“I am, I exist—whenever it is uttered by me, or conceived in…” — René Descartes (Meditations on First Philosophy II)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: Meditations on First Philosophy II. Theme: existence.
English
I am, I exist—whenever it is uttered by me, or conceived in the mind, it is necessarily true.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to Meditations on First Philosophy II and files it under Rationalism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About René Descartes
René Descartes (1596–1650) was a French mathematician and philosopher who helped launch early modern rationalism. Educated by Jesuits, he traveled as a soldier and settled for long periods in the Dutch Republic.
How to read this passage
Across 4 recurring voices here (notably Søren Kierkegaard and Henri Bergson), existence is framed through Existentialism and Process Philosophy. Some passages define existence; others warn how it fails; still others relocate it inside habit, community, or language. This passage enters that discussion through existence, self.
Concepts in this quote
- Existence
- Existence appears in this archive as a live philosophical concern—not a slogan. These verified English passages show how thinkers treat existence as a problem of judgment, practice, or explanation.
- Self
- Philosophy quotes about self explore identity, responsibility, and the examined life—from Socrates’ unexamined life to modern phenomenology and existential authenticity.
How to cite this quotation
APA: René Descartes. (n.d.). I am, I exist—whenever it is uttered by me, or conceived in the mind, it is necessarily true. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0330
MLA: René Descartes. “I am, I exist—whenever it is uttered by….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0330.
Chicago: René Descartes. “I am, I exist—whenever it is uttered by….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0330.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “I am, I exist—whenever it is uttered by…”?
The passage is attributed to René Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy II. The archive attributes this English wording to Meditations on First Philosophy II and files it under Rationalism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does René Descartes mean by existence?
Across 4 recurring voices here (notably Søren Kierkegaard and Henri Bergson), existence is framed through Existentialism and Process Philosophy. Some passages define existence; others warn how it fails; still others relocate it inside habit, community, or language. This passage enters that discussion through existence, self.