What is solipsistic?

Solipsism is the philosophical idea that only one's own mind is sure to exist. It comes from the Latin words "solus" (alone) and "ipse" (self). It's the most extreme form of <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/subjective%20idealism">subjective idealism</a>.

Here's a breakdown:

  • Core Belief: The only thing a solipsist can be certain of is the existence of their own mind. Everything else, including the external world and other people, might be just a creation of their mind.

  • Untestable: Solipsism is, by its nature, impossible to disprove. Any evidence presented to the solipsist could simply be a fabrication of their mind.

  • Distinction from Other Views:

    • It differs from <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/philosophical%20skepticism">philosophical skepticism</a>, which questions the possibility of knowing anything with certainty, but doesn't necessarily claim that only one's own mind exists.
    • It's also different from <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/egoism">egoism</a>, which is a psychological or ethical theory about self-interest.
  • Practicality: While solipsism is an interesting philosophical concept, it's generally considered impractical to live life adhering to it strictly. It's more often used as a thought experiment to explore the limits of knowledge and perception.

  • Arguments Against: The main arguments against solipsism revolve around its lack of explanatory power and its failure to provide a useful framework for understanding the world. While it's impossible to disprove, it also doesn't offer any compelling reasons to believe it. Also <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/intersubjectivity">intersubjectivity</a> is one of the important subjects to oppose solipsism.