“Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power.”
RENE DESCARTES (1596-1650)
(Secret 2008 )
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That may be true, but those thoughts are useless unless we use them to exercise some of our (imperfect) control of other things in the world. For example, I can think all I want about the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but those thoughts do no good unless I act on them in the world.
And, I have to say, as I think about it more, I think Descartes got it wrong. Anyone who has experienced mental illness knows that our control over our thoughts is far from perfect, and that our thoughts often control us instead. I think this happens to everyone to a certain extent, but many mental illnesses involve a greater failure of control over our thoughts.
Descartes was hampered in the development of his philosophy by his dualist approach. Perhaps a better way to look at thoughts is not as things we control or things that control us, but as parts of us.
I understand your perspective Peter, however, I think the intended point is missed.
IMO, the statement means that your thoughts are the only thing of which you have absolute power.
Taking action on your thoughts still does not give you power to control or change the situation. The power to think is yours alone, over your own thoughts. Nobody can make you think something, you think it.
I think Descartes got it right with the information available to him in his time. Of course, everyone loses control sometimes, of your emotions, actions, and thoughts … but only you have the power to control your own thoughts.
Mental illness is a completely different story, an exception, not the basis of this statement. In the same sense, you would have to also say that those influenced by drugs or alcohol are also exempt because they are impaired.