
René Descartes - "To live without philosophizing is in truth the same as keeping the eyes closed without attempting to open them."
From the Daily Quote - Positive Daily Inspiration and Motivational Quote of the Day by Andrew McGivern - Motivational Quotes and Daily Inspiration | Quote of the Day
June 5, 2026 · 4 min · Episode 884
About this episode
This episode discusses a quote by René Descartes about the importance of philosophizing and self-examination in life.
Welcome to the Daily Quote , the podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern and this episode is brought to you by the Great News podcast and the link is in the show notes. Today's quote comes from René Descartes , 17th century French philosopher, mathematician, and the man whose single most famous sentence... "I think, therefore I am" , became the foundation of modern Western philosophy. From the preface of his Principles of Philosophy , he wrote: "To live without philosophizing is in truth the same as keeping the eyes closed without attempting to open them." Before you decide this quote isn't for you because you're not a philosopher, hear what Descartes is actually saying. He's not asking you to read Kant. He's not asking you to write a dissertation or resolve the mind-body problem over breakfast. When he says philosophizing, he means something far more immediate and personal: the deliberate, honest act of examining your life. Questioning your assumptions. Asking why you believe what you believe, want what you want, and live the way you live. Looking, with genuine curiosity, at the things most people walk past…
People in this episode
Host: Andrew McGivern
Topics covered
- philosophy
- self-examination
- personal growth
- motivation
- inspiration
Keywords
- René Descartes
- philosophy
- self-examination
- motivation
- inspiration
- personal growth
- quote of the day
Sponsors
Great News podcast
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