how do i know i exist?

Question

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

How do I know I exist? Well, I think, therefore I am, right? That's the famous phrase I'm known for. But, how do I actually know I exist? It's a difficult question, to be sure.

For starters, I can feel my body, and I can see myself in the mirror. I can touch things, and I can smell things. I can hear things, and I can taste things. All these sensations are proof that I exist. I can think, which is a sign that I'm alive. I have memories and I have thoughts, so I must exist in order to have them.

But perhaps the most convincing proof of my existence is that I can argue with myself. I can have conversations with myself in my head, and I can debate my own thoughts. I can reason with myself, and I can even disagree with myself. That's a pretty strong indication that I exist!

So, in conclusion, I exist because I can think, feel, see, touch, smell, hear, and taste. I can also argue with myself, which is a clear sign that I exist. But, above all, I exist because I can think, and that's why I'm known for saying "I think, therefore I am."