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Cogito, Ergo Sum
Cogito, Ergo Sum

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Cogito, Ergo Sum is here in full — 316 sentences across 64 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Cogito, Ergo Sum
Context Illustration Reading 1/63 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?
Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?
Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.
But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.
I think, therefore I am.
0:00 / 0:00
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Cogito, Ergo Sum

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Cogito, Ergo Sum is here in full — 316 sentences across 64 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/63 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?
/ɑːr ðə ˈspɪrət ənd ðə fleʃ wʌn ənd ðə seɪm θɪŋ/
Line 2
Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?
/ɔːr ɑːr ðeɪ ˈsepəreɪt ˈentɪtiz dɪˈpendənt ənd æt ðə seɪm taɪm ˌɪndɪˈpendənt ʌv iːtʃ ˈʌðər/
Line 3
Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.
/pərˈhæps sʌm ɡreɪt ˈkɑːzmɪk lɔː hoʊldz ðɪs ˈsiː.krət/
Line 4
But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.
Line 5
I think, therefore I am.
/aɪ θɪŋk ˈðerfɔːr aɪ æm/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

abyss noun US /əˈbɪs/

a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)

From this reading “But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.”

Cosmic adjective US /ˈkɑːzmɪk/

of or from or pertaining to or characteristic of the cosmos or universe

From this reading “Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.”

dependent adjective US /dɪˈpendənt/

relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed

From this reading “Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?”

egos noun US /ˈiːɡoʊz/

plural of “ego” — an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others

From this reading “But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.”

Element noun US /ˈeləmənt/

an abstract part of something

From this reading “But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.”

entities noun US /ˈentɪtiz/

plural of “entity” — that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving)

From this reading “Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?”

independent adjective US /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/

free from external control and constraint

From this reading “Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?”

warped adjective US /wɔːrpt/

used especially of timbers or boards; bent out of shape usually by moisture

From this reading “But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.”

All words in this reading · 57

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/

a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

AccidentnounUS /ˈæksədənt/

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I think, therefore I am.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading _Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?

apparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/

from appearances alone

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading _Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

bodiesnounUS /ˈbɑːdiz/

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

CosmicadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːzmɪk/

of or from or pertaining to or characteristic of the cosmos or universe

From this reading Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.

dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/

be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

dependentadjectiveUS /dɪˈpendənt/

relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

egosnounUS /ˈiːɡoʊz/

plural of “ego” — an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

ElementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/

an abstract part of something

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

entitiesnounUS /ˈentɪtiz/

plural of “entity” — that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving)

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

FleshnounUS /fleʃ/

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading _Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.

holdsnounUS /hoʊldz/

plural of “hold” — the act of grasping

From this reading Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I think, therefore I am.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/

free from external control and constraint

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

LawnounUS /lɔː/

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.

lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

LuckyadjectiveUS /ˈlʌki/

occurring by chance

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?

OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

PerhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading _Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.

separateverbUS /ˈsepəreɪt/

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

separatedadjectiveUS /ˈsepəreɪtɪd/

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.

SpacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

SpiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading _Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading _Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading I think, therefore I am.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading _Are the Spirit and the Flesh one and the same thing?

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading I think, therefore I am.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Perhaps some great Cosmic Law holds this secret.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Or are they separate entities, dependent and at the same time independent of each other?

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

UniversaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/

of worldwide scope or applicability

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

warpedadjectiveUS /wɔːrpt/

used especially of timbers or boards; bent out of shape usually by moisture

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading But the one Universal Element that we can depend upon, apparently, is The Lucky Accident._ A warped instant in Space--and two egos are separated from their bodies and lost in a lonely abyss.

Chapter 1 of Cogito, Ergo Sum by John Foster West holds 316 sentences, grouped into 64 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Cogito, Ergo Sum contain?

Chapter 1 holds 316 sentences of Cogito, Ergo Sum, unabridged, divided into 64 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Cogito, Ergo Sum by John Foster West exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 316 sentences, grouped into 64 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Cogito, Ergo Sum?

Work through the 64 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 64 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Cogito, Ergo Sum

Common questions about reading Cogito, Ergo Sum by John Foster West on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Cogito, Ergo Sum?

Yes. All 316 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #29149 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Cogito, Ergo Sum is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #29149, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Cogito, Ergo Sum take to read?

About 26 minutes of reading across 64 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Cogito, Ergo Sum section by section

How to work through Cogito, Ergo Sum section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Cogito, Ergo Sum to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Cogito, Ergo Sum

Words and structures a reader meets early in Cogito, Ergo Sum, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Spirit
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Cogito, Ergo Sum; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Flesh
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Cogito, Ergo Sum; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Thing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Cogito, Ergo Sum; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Separate
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Cogito, Ergo Sum; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.