Step 1 : Introduction to the question "Which philosopher said, "I think, therefore I am"?"
French philosopher RenĂ© Descartes is best known for his iconic statement, "Cogito, ergo sum," which translates to "I think, therefore I am." Descartes first introduced this concept in his 1637 work Discourse on the Method. This proposition became a cornerstone of Western philosophy, providing a foundational basis for knowledge in the face of doubt. Descartes' assertion marked the culmination of his quest for an indubitable truth, as he realized the very act of doubting confirmed his existence—since doubt itself requires a thinking entity.