Try to prove Solipsism wrong!

[Dominus]

Solipsism: The belief that the entire universe: all people, feelings, and things, are generated by ones own mind, which is the only mind there is. You cannot be sure that anyone else is really thinking, since you cannot know their mind like you can your own. You cannot be sure that any material thing is real, because they could simply be tricks of the mind.

Simply put: Everything is a figment of your own imagination. Rene Descartes is attributed with coming up with, or at least refining this idea.

No philosopher, not even Descartes, in my consideration, has come up with substantial evidence or arguments to prove the premise of Solipsism wrong. Therefore I ask the community of Sysopt to give it a shot.

[Biff]

I got one for ya dominus, quote "No philosopher, not even Descartes, in my consideration, has come up with substantial evidence or arguments to prove the premise of Solipsism wrong"
Has anyone come up with evidence it does?
I'm from the old school of thought "your mind is a scarey place, don't go in there alone"

[seti]

I'd like to belive that if everything was just in my mind...the world would be a lot better place.

[Chainsaw]

The beauty and wonder of the creation of the universe or this tiny solar system or this beautiful earth we live on or proud country we live in or state or province or county or plot of land or tree or branch or leaf or cell ... I alone could not have possibly created, why I don't even have the capability to comprehend them to understand them to fully appreciate them let alone create them in my mind and if by some fluke I could, then who created my mind, not I my friend, not I.

c:::CHNsaw

[mgordon99]

Well if this is true, where is my billion dollar bank account? I sure as hell didn't intend (think) it to Bill Gates.

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Dominus]

Ah, what better way to start off a Philosophy thread than answering a question with a question.

The only piece of evidence I can come up with is:

1.) I can think of no better* place for me to be than the world I am now in.

2.) No one but me can know the conditions and content of my own mind.

3.) Since this world suits me, and only I know myself, I must have designed my own universe.

* - better not as in paradise, but as in where I fit.

Also, I guess that Ockham's Razor can be applied to support Solipsism, but the application would be very controversial, so I won't use it.

[Dominus]

Well wtf, I always thought that "General Discussion" was a forum for General Discussion.


[This message has been edited by Dominus (edited 04-24-2000).]

[Gomer]

Calm down wtf. I don't think "constructive topics" are O.T.

Sysopt, maybe this would be better served in brainstorming. I am interested to see peoples thoughts on the matter.

[OuTpaTienT]

You been gettin' into my LSD again? I told you about that.

That theory, if one imagines it true, would very neatly "box up and shelve" most of modern day man's current "big" mysteries...like who/what/where is God?...life after death...aliens...women...& why pairs of socks go into dryers, but often singles come out.

However, if Solipsism is true, then:
it's pretty much anything goes in regards to trying to theorize further.
it would seem likely to me the most rational reasoning for a thinking being to create such an elaborate fantasy would indicate that the being is utterly & completely alone in his/her/it's universe...and that would be sad, huh?
then I'm talking to myself right now. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif


-OuT
note to self: since I'm in charge here, schedule date with Jewel tonight, Jennifer Love-Hewitt tomorrow, and Morena (http://naginata.asian.web1000.com/Morena/8.jpg)Corwin every night after that.

[hd581]

Ahhhh this is the old "maybe we're all just cows who think we're humans..." thing we did back in elementary school. There is no way to disprove it. There's no way to prove it either. Dead end belief if you ask me.

[Dominus]

it would seem likely to me the most rational reasoning for a thinking being to create such an elaborate fantasy would indicate that the being is utterly & completely alone in his/her/it's universe...and that would be sad, huh?

Good point. To add to this a bit, creating this elaborate fantasy would keep the Solipsist entertained for all eternity, keeping him sane, and also, it would give him enormous insight into himself, just as a painter grows spiritually from his work.

[This message has been edited by Dominus (edited 04-24-2000).]

[Apostle 83]

wtf, wtf don't you just send in an application to go on staff, since you like correcting everyone else so much. I think this is the second time today you've done this, and it is STUPID. Take a cold shower buddy.

[narayan]

So, do all of you exist in my mind or do I exist in all of yours?

[chipbgt]

uhhh....thanks wtf for that totally sarcasm-free response....


If everything was created in my mind, then where did I come from? I had to come from someone or something else myself.

[Dominus]

No scientist, philosopher or holy man has ever truly answered that question, chipbgt.

You have two options:

1.) Side-step causality altogether and assume that reality has always existed.

2.) Answer the question "Why am I here?" with "Why not?".

If you can come up with anything more substantial than that, then being human would suddenly be very boring.

[narayan]

How do we know what the "mind" really is? How are we to know the properties of the mind? What is consciousness? Is there even a physical world?

[akaBruno]

Shmoke 'em if ya got 'em, boys...
heh, heh, heh...
That BS doesn't even work in the movies.