Cogito ergo sum is a simple philosophical expression from the French Philosopher René Descartes which has been translated into English as: “I think, therefore I am”. The simple meaning of the phrase is that someone wondering whether or not he or she exists is, in and of itself, proof that something, an “I”, exists to do the thinking. However, this “I” is not the more or less permanent person we call “I”. It may be that the something that thinks is purely momentary, and not the same as the something that has a different thought the next moment. The phrase became a fundamental element of Western philosophy, as it was perceived to form a foundation for all knowledge. While other knowledge could be a figment of imagination, deception or mistake, the very act of doubting one’s own existence serves to some people as proof of the reality of one's own existence, or at least that of one’s thought (Wikipedia).
In even simpler terms, the very act of thinking distinguishes us from other animals. The very concept of thinking ought to mean that in our day-to-day existence, our very own actions are preceded by thought. Of course, this is not always so, which is why sometimes we do things without thinking. Some actions become automatic. Others are the result of basic instinct. Be that as it may, what this statement signifies in our society is before taking action we must think about the action we are about to take: look before you leap.
Democracy
In a democracy such as ours, once every five years (or more frequently, if required) the electorate is asked to think about its future, to sit back and weigh the pros and cons of voting one way or the other. The decision is normally a simple matter of voting for the party in government to be re-elected to govern for the next five years or to opt for a change of direction by voting for the party that is at the time in Opposition. What it also means is that the electorate is asked to think about it every five years. We all know, of course, that a huge swath of the electorate will vote one way or the other based upon their political beliefs or based the simple x’jaqbel lili (what’s best for me) syndrome. However, the number of floating voters seems to be growing as the years go by. By “floating voter” we refer to those who are not tied to one party or the other but vote according to what they believe is the best for the country at the time.
The here and now
The choice the floating voters have to make is whether to stay with the PN or go for change in our country and vote for the Labour Party. This time, we are in the situation of having two political parties who are poles apart in what they are saying and what they expect to do, should they be given the confidence of the electorate. The Labour Party is forward looking and is coming forward with a healthy dose of new ideas, paramount of which is that meritocracy will be at the forefront of the decision-making process. The Labour Party also has a visible sense of unity.
The PN is stuck in its confrontational way of doing politics. It appeals to the policies of the past and strives continually to regurgitate the demons of the past. There is a distinct lack of new ideas. What has not changed is its constant wave of promises, which largely fall by the wayside when the election is over.
Where does all this fit in with Descartes? It is the thought process that serves as the link that makes us human. To blindly follow a leader and not think about whether what he says is true is, I believe, wrong. It is of vital importance to sit back and consider what both parties will be offering in the next few weeks: which vision for the future you trust and which you do not.
Think about it and vote not with your heart but with your head!