Philosophy Solipsism

[Second Summer]

According to Wikipedia, solipsism

... is the philosophical idea that only one's own mind is sure to exist. As an epistemological position, solipsism holds that knowledge of anything outside one's own mind is unsure. The external world and other minds cannot be known, and might not exist outside the mind. As a metaphysical position, solipsism goes further to the conclusion that the world and other minds do not exist. As such it is the only epistemological position that, by its own postulate, is both irrefutable and yet indefensible in the same manner.

It seems a bit outlandish to me Thoughts?

 

[Clueless Git]

From the chapter 'Choices' of the Dhammapadha ...

We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
Speak or act with an impure mind
And trouble will follow you
As the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart.

We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
Speak or act with a pure mind
And happiness will follow you
As your shadow, unshakable.

http://www.pa56.org/ross/Buddha.htm

By my understanding 'Nirvana' (total cessation of all manifestations) is a pretty close idea to Solipsism.

 

[Music Platter]

As a on and off solipsist myself, I see the world as a dream, something from my subconscious mind, and something that should be learned from. I suppose that this idea does kind of tie in with the idea of recreation.

Personally, I think this means that my ultimate goal in life is to conquer my fears, and to become completely in control of my mind, i.e. I am in control of the universe.

Then again, when I try to tie this philosophy in with animal rights, I sometimes confuse myself. But aren't there limitless ways to live out your dream?

Douglas Adams had a nice section about solipsism in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where the main characters meet the creator of the universe. Here's the radio version if you want to check it out:

EDIT: Whoops, forgot that new people cannot post media right away. . .

 

[Blobbenstein]

I think I am more of a existentialist(if I understand what that word means)....I think all we can be sure about is from our own experience, but I certainly do believe that there are other beings, and other perspectives, only that I can only really be sure of my own.

 

[Blobbenstein]

and yes, I think life is similar to a dream. That is partly how I see the miracles in the Bible....If you have enough faith then you are prepared to experience anything....not that I am at that stage, my self.

 

[AeryFairy]

Although I think it's an interesting theory to study, and has some intellectual merit, I just can't get behind it as a practical philosophy. I've always argued that if you want to build a philosophy people can actually get some use out of, you need to start with a foundation of having the world actually exist.

It was a fun few lectures when we did solipsism, though - I told my lecturer that he was a figment of my imagination and didn't really exist, and there was therefore no point in teaching solipsism to us. Then we started talking about trout empathy...

 

[Mischief]

According to Wikipedia, solipsism

It seems a bit outlandish to me Thoughts?

I think that some people have a bit too much time on their hands. (Not you, but people who come up with these concepts and take them seriously.)

I also encourage anyone who is invested in this idea to try it out; live solely in your mind, since your body doesn't (or at least may not) exist, and see what happens.

 

[kazyeeqen]

It seems remarkably egotistical to me. Not just regular egotistical. Remarkably.

I'm remarking on it now, in fact. How very egotistical.

 

[Mischief]

It seems remarkably egotistical to me. Not just regular egotistical. Remarkably.

I'm remarking on it now, in fact. How very egotistical.

I think it's really rude for a figment of my imagination to accuse me of being egotistical.

 

[kazyeeqen]

I think it's really rude for a figment of my imagination to accuse me of being egotistical.

Well who else is gonna do it?!

 

[Mischief]

Well who else is gonna do it?!

You have a point there, figment.

 

[kazyeeqen]

You have a point there, figment.

Or do you have a point?

Dun dun dun...

 

[Music Platter]

Or do you have a point?

Dun dun dun...

See there? Talking to yourself teaches you things . . . I mean teaches ME things.

 

[Mischief]

Or do you have a point?

Dun dun dun...

See there? Talking to yourself teaches you things . . . I mean teaches ME things.

Now I'm really just confusing myself.

 

[Clueless Git]

I think that some people have a bit too much time on their hands.

"The man who marries wisely will be a happy man. The man who marries unwisely will turn to philosophy" ~Unknown

I also encourage anyone who is invested in this idea to try it out; live solely in your mind, since your body doesn't (or at least may not) exist, and see what happens.

Which is exactly what the buddhist monk, Thich Quang Duc, did in 1963 ..