Is Descartes' cogito argument an inference or a performance?

Question: Is Descartes' cogito argument an inference or a performance!?

anyone!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

the term "the cogito" is (often confusingly) used to refer to an argument from it!. Descartes felt that this phrase, which he had used in his earlier Discourse, had been misleading in its implication that he was appealing to an inference, so he changed it to "I am, I exist" (also often called "the first certainty") in order to avoid the term "cogito!."

the Cogito is construed as a performance, the very act of thinking that I exist (or wondering whether I exist) demonstrating its truth!. It is the ‘existential self-verifiability’ of ‘I exist’ that provides the required indubitability when I follow the Cogito line of thought (cf!. ibid!., pp!. 121-2)!. However, it is hard to reconcile this interpretation with Descartes’ texts!. In particular, it is not the thought that I exist that is pivotal in his reasoning, and the relationship to his sceptical considerations is rendered unclear!.

(I would say it is a performance) hope this helpsWww@QuestionHome@Com

It might be worth considering something before you progress toward finding a solution to your problem!. One of the main criticisms of Decarte's proof is contained not in the 'think' or the 'exist' but in the 'I' and pertains to the construction of the self!. All self identities are largely constructed from the genetic input of one's parent's coupled with one's early life experiences although there are other factors!. A generally held view is that you are the sum total of other's inputs, not a self 'self' creation!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

what do you mean by performance in this context!?

I can tell you it's logically faulty b/c he assumes in the 1st line the very thing he is trying to prove!.Www@QuestionHome@Com