LATIN BLOG 5: Sine Qua Non; Sui Generis; Cogito Ergo Sum

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LATIN BLOG 5: Understanding Latin Phrases Used in Everyday Language

Andrew Yiannakis,  Ph.D.
Research Professor
University of New Mexico

In this series of blogs I shall be covering over thirty Latin phrases that are used in everyday language.

LATIN BLOG 5 includes the terms:

i. Sine Qua Non
ii. Sui Generis
iii. Cogito Ergo Sum

1. SINE QUA NON

Something absolutely indispensable or essential.  Something we can’t do without.

Example:
Reliability is a sine qua non for success.

2. SUI GENERIS
Unique.  In a class or group of its own;  not like anything else;  without parallel.

Example:
Among history’s greats Leonardo da Vinci is often considered sui generis (unlike anyone else), a genius  the world may never see again.

3. COGITO ERGO SUM
Cogito:  I think
Ergo:  Therefore
Sum:  I am

I think, therefore I am (stated by Descartes as the first principle in resolving universal doubt about one’s existence).

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Author: andrewyiannakis

Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D., is currently a Research Professor at the University of New Mexico (USA). He is also Professor Emeritus from the University of Connecticut where he taught the Sociology of Leisure, Tourism & Sport, as well as Research Methods and Computer Applications. He also holds the rank of 8th Dan in Traditional Jujutsu and a 6th Dan in Traditional Kodokan Judo. He is the Director of the Institute of Traditional Martial Arts at the University of New Mexico. He is also the Chair of the Traditional Jujutsu Committee of the USJJF. As an amateur historian, he has led several expeditions to Greece to conduct research at Thermopylae, and locate the path the Persians used in 480 BC to encircle, and defeat King Leonidas and the Greek allies. Prof. Yiannakis has published extensively in a number of areas.

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