Did you discover it from first principles by yourself because it's a natural conclusion anyone would reach if they ponder the subject?
Or because western culture reflects this theme continuously through all the culture and media you've immersed in since you were a child?
Also the idea is definitely not new to Descartes, you can find echoes of it going back to Plato, so your idea isn't wrong per se. But I think it underrates the effect to which our philosophical preconceptions are culturally constructed.
Because it's a natural conclusion anyone would reach if they ponder the subject. Sorry, I thought I expressed that opinion clearly. I don't think I was exposed to that idea through media by that age.
Or because western culture reflects this theme continuously through all the culture and media you've immersed in since you were a child?
Also the idea is definitely not new to Descartes, you can find echoes of it going back to Plato, so your idea isn't wrong per se. But I think it underrates the effect to which our philosophical preconceptions are culturally constructed.