The phrase "I think, therefore I am" is famously attributed to the French philosopher René Descartes. This statement encapsulates his foundational idea in Western philosophy about existence and consciousness. Descartes employed this mantra in his work "Meditations on First Philosophy," asserting that the act of thinking is proof of one's existence. It emphasizes the importance of doubt and inquiry as a means to attain certainty. Through this declaration, Descartes aimed to establish a secure foundation for knowledge by highlighting that the very act of doubt and thought confirms the presence of the self.