Sometimes in life there are doubts about the reality of what is happening, and it's worth closing your eyes as everything disappears. With memories of the past, the thought flashes suddenly, and whether certain events have taken place in reality, or it is a game of imagination. All these ideas are not new. They have existed for a long time and reflect the essence of solipsism.
Solipsism - what is it?
Back in the IV. BC. Greek philosopher and expert orator George of Leontini, discussing the category of "non-existent," formulated and substantiated several postulates:
- Jehovah does not exist.
- If there is a being, it is not knowable.
- If existence is possible, it is impossible to explain.
Thus, for the first time, a concept emerged, proclaiming the consciousness of man as the only existing reality. Later, it was developed and a rationale in the theory of solipsism. In scientific terms, solipsism is a doctrine that denies the reliability of the world around us. Only one's own mind is a reality that is accessible to man for influence and intervention.
Solipsism in philosophy
As a philosophical direction, solipsism took shape in the Middle Ages. "Pure" solipsism in philosophy is a radical trend, and in history a conscious choice of such views is very rare. The most famous representative of this direction (rather than psychiatric diagnosis) is Claude Brunet (a doctor by profession and philosopher by vocation), who believed that in the world there is only ON - the only ideal thinking subject. Everything around him is created by the power of his consciousness and ceases to exist from the moment he forgets about it.
The difference between solipsism and skepticism
The basic principle of skepticism is a doubt about the truth of all knowledge about the world around us. Solipsism and skepticism are distinguished by basic ideas:
- Skeptics doubt the possibility of knowing the nature of the surrounding things, solipsists are sure that things are beyond reality.
- Skeptics are not sure of the truth of knowledge about the outside world, solipsists assert that knowledge can only be about one's own consciousness and one's own sensations.
- Due to the utopianity of reliable theories and generalized inferences, skeptics are offered to confine themselves to an explanation of individual facts. Solipsists believe that any fact is their own feelings and belief in its existence, so it is inexplicable, and does not need proofs.
Types of solipsism
Being between two pillars of philosophy (idealism and materialism), solipsism changes from the rapid flow of radical ideas to a calm flow to logical arguments.
- Metaphysical solipsism denies the reality of absolutely everything, except for self.
- Epistemological solipsism allows the probability of the existence of the universe and the consciousness of other individuals. However, it is possible to reliably know the external world only empirically, and this makes it scientifically not provable.
- Methodological solipsism asserts that reality must be based on unquestionable conscious facts, for even the presence of sensory sensations can be initiated by external interference.
- Ethical solipsism is identical with selfishness and egocentrism. The belief in the illusory nature of others makes an individual capable of unseemly acts, removes psychological barriers to their fulfillment and removes a sense of responsibility.
Solipsism - books
In the modern world, the theory of solipsism as a scientific doctrine looks absurd, but it gives a lot of interesting ideas for fiction. R. Bradbury, S. Lem, M. Bulgakov and other well-known writers created mystical and fantastic stories that take the reader beyond reality. Victor Pelevin, a modern novelist, declared critical solipsism literary method and used it to create his works:
- "The Ninth Dream of Vera Pavlovna . " The cleaner of the public toilet is convinced that her will caused Perestroyka in the USSR.
- "Chapaev and Emptiness . " The protagonist moves from one reality to another, trying to determine the real.
- "Generation P" . A graduate of the Institute creates an advertising reality.