cogito sum crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're looking for solutions to the "cogito sum crossword clue," you've come to the right place. This page offers comprehensive answers, detailed explanations, and helpful tips to conquer this philosophical puzzle and many more.
Solutions for "cogito sum crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
SUM: Part of Descartes's famous phrase, meaning 'I am'.
IAM: A direct translation of 'sum' from Descartes's proposition 'Cogito, ergo sum'.
4 Letters
ERGO: The Latin word for 'therefore', central to 'Cogito, ergo sum'.
5 Letters
THINK: Refers to the 'cogito' part, 'I think', of the philosophical statement.
EXIST: A concept directly related to 'sum', meaning 'to be', fundamental to the phrase.
6 Letters
COGITO: Latin for 'I think', the first part of Descartes's famous statement.
More About "cogito sum crossword clue"
"Cogito, ergo sum" is one of the most famous philosophical propositions in history, articulated by René Descartes. It translates from Latin as "I think, therefore I am." This statement served as the bedrock for Descartes's epistemology, providing a foundational truth that could not be doubted, even amidst his radical skepticism about the external world.
For crossword enthusiasts, this phrase frequently appears in puzzles due to its iconic status and the distinct, short words it contains (cogito, ergo, sum). Clues might ask for the entire phrase, a specific part, or a related concept or person, such as Descartes himself. Understanding the meaning and origin of this phrase can give you a significant edge when it appears.
The beauty of "Cogito, ergo sum" in crosswords lies in its versatility. It can be clued in various ways, testing your knowledge of Latin, philosophy, or simply your ability to make logical connections. Knowing the individual components and their English translations, as provided in our answer section, will greatly assist you.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Break Down Latin Phrases: When encountering Latin or foreign language clues like "cogito sum," try to break them down into individual words. Knowing common Latin roots or phrases, especially philosophical ones, can quickly reveal the answer.
- Consider Philosophical Context: For clues related to famous quotes or philosophical ideas, think about the author or the core concept. Often, the answer might be the philosopher's name or a key term associated with their work.
- Check Letter Count First: Always match the known letter count from the grid to the possible answers. This narrows down the options significantly and helps confirm your suspicions.
- Look for Common Crossword Fillers: Words like 'ERGO' are very common in crosswords as they are short, useful, and frequently appear in such contexts. Keep a mental list of these high-frequency answers.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Cogito, ergo sum' mean in English?
The phrase 'Cogito, ergo sum' is Latin for 'I think, therefore I am'. It is a philosophical proposition by René Descartes, serving as a fundamental first principle for his philosophy, asserting the undoubtable existence of a thinking being.
Who first said 'Cogito, ergo sum'?
The phrase 'Cogito, ergo sum' was first stated by the French philosopher René Descartes in his Discourse on the Method (1637) and further elaborated in his Meditations on First Philosophy (1641).
How is 'Cogito, ergo sum' relevant to crossword puzzles?
This famous philosophical phrase often appears in crosswords, sometimes directly as the clue, or as parts of the phrase (COGITO, SUM, ERGO), or concepts related to it (THINK, EXIST, IAM). Clues might also reference Descartes himself, making it a valuable piece of general knowledge for solvers.