What was the nationality of the philosopher who coined cogito ergo sum?
Cogito, ergo sum translate from the Latin as ’I think, therefore I am’. This famous quote originated with the French philosopher René Descartes who is considered to be the founder of modern philosophy. The following is from RenéDescartes.com – RENÉ DESCARTES (1596-1650) “Cogito Ergo Sum” (“I think, therefore I am.”) René Descartes was born on March 31st, 1596 in the town of La Haye in the south of France, the son of Joachim Descartes, a Councilor in Parliament and and intellectual who made certain to provide a good learning environment for his son. In 1606, at the age of 8, René attended the Jesuit college of Henri IV in La Flèche, where he studied literature, grammar, science, and mathematics. In 1614, he left La Flèche to study civil and cannon Law at Poitiers. In 1616, he received his baccalaureate and licentiate degrees in Law. Aside from his Law degrees, Descartes also spent time studying philosophy, theology, and medicine
Because the phrase “Cogito, ergo sum” is Latin, many people mistakenly believe that it was coined by an ancient philosopher. The phrase, meaning “I think, therefore I am”, was actually coined by René Descartes, and this philosophical statement became a cornerstone of Western philosophy. As a philosopher, Descartes was so significant that he has been named the “Father of Modern Philosophy.” It is true that many predecessors had similar ideas, including St. Augustine of Hippo (“If I am mistaken, I am”) and Avicenna. More on Descartes: He was born on March 31, 1596 in Indre-et-Loire, France and lived until February 11, 1650 (dying at the age of 53). He was very influential as a French writer, scientist, mathematician, and philosopher. http://www.philosophy.umd.edu/people/faculty/manekin_charles/Phil320.
