- But then I noticed that while I was thinking that everything was false, it was absolutely necessary that I, who was thinking this, must exist. I realized that the statement I think, therefore I am was so certain and clear that no doubt, no matter how extreme, could undermine it. I concluded that I could accept this as the first principle of the philosophy I was seeking.
- Upper Dry Gulch Natural Area Preserve (dnr.wa.gov)
This 3,087-acre preserve protects the largest known population of Whited’s milkvetch, a state-listed “endangered” plant species that is found only within a 3-square-mile area. Situated in the arid mountains southeast of Wenatchee, this site is dominated by a native shrub and bunchgrass (shrub-steppe) ecosystem that is recovering from past land uses. The drainage that flows through the site carries water seasonally and is subject to torrential flows during spring. The loggerhead shrike, a bird species known to be highly dependent on shrub-steppe habitat, is also known to frequent this area.
- But immediately upon this I observed that, whilst I thus wished to think that all was false, it was absolutely necessary that I, who thus thought, should be somewhat; and as I observed that this truth, I think, hence I am, was so certain and of such evidence, that no ground of doubt, however extravagant, could be alleged by the Sceptics capable of shaking it, I concluded that I might, without scruple, accept it as the first principle of the Philosophy of which I was in search.