• Ludwig V
    732


    That is a possibility. I'll think about that.
  • Ludwig V
    732


    Well, I can't understand solipsism from a solipsist's point of view, because I have a different hinge (axiom?). Even if I didn't, I still couldn't understand solipsism from any point of view but my own.

    Nonetheless, in my reading, both those arguments (I'm not sure if that's the right word for Anonymous' piece, but it certainly is for Barmadosa's) turn on: -
    I am the subject of my experiences, make my various judgements, have various desires and values and perform various actions. No-one else can do those things.Ludwig V
    . Or so it seems to me.

    You started this discussion because, as you say: -
    I'm asking because years ago I thought I saw a post on Quora that proved solipsism to be true and I suffered since then. But I don't remember what it said or even if it was right (I'm pretty bad at philosophy) and I can't find the post. So I've lived thinking it's true this whole time and there isn't a reason to connect with people because they aren't real. But if solipsism is unproveable then he's wrong and I can move on.Darkneos

    So we are agreed that solipsism is unproveable.

    It might help, though, to think that there doesn't need to be a reason to connect with people. Like all the best things in life, it is something worth doing for it's own sake, and it might reduce your suffering. Elimination of suffering is too much to ask, I'm afraid. That's my experience, at least.

    You might be less pleased if I point out that the fact that solipsism is unproveable means that it's undisprovable, as well. But that only means that each solipsist and non-solipsist has to decide for themselves where they stand. I guess solipsists can live with that. (Anonymous, at least, seems to have taken that on board.)
  • Darkneos
    689
    Well no, if solipsism were true there would be no reason to connect with people because there would be no other people.
  • Ludwig V
    732
    Well no, if solipsism were true there would be no reason to connect with people because there would be no other people.Darkneos

    So you are concerned that solipsism might be unprovable but nonetheless true. Historical speculations fall into that class. There could be evidence, but we'll never get it. For example, so we'll never know what Julius Caesar said to Brutus, as he and his friends stabbed him to death. The claim that he said "Even you, my child" is unprovable but might be true.

    I was treating solipsism as a hinge proposition or an axiom. It is not like a historical speculation. No evidence will ever be relevant to its status. That's why hinge propositions and axioms are not proved or disproved, but chosen or adopted. One can choose a different hinge, a different axiom. So if solipsism causes you suffering, it is open to you to adopt a different hinge/axiom.

    Solipsism could be something as hard to change as a bad habit, and I'm well aware that pressing suggestions on someone who wants to change a habit is not only useless, but offensive. So I wouldn't dream of pressing any suggestion about what to do about solipsism on you.

    I can't see how this can be discussed. Do we agree on that?
  • Darkneos
    689
    yeah. It’s either something you believe or don’t. That’s about it.
  • Ludwig V
    732


    Well, there's nothing to say, then. Thanks for enlightening me.
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