Why Solipsism MattersSolipsism is one of the philosophical thesis or ideas that has generally been regarded as highly implausible, or even crazy. The view that the world is “my world” in the sense that nothing exists independently of my mind, thought, and/or experience is, understandably, frowned up as a genuine philosophical position. For this reason, solipsism might be regarded as an example of a philosophical position that does not “matter” at all. It does not seem to play any role in our serious attempts to understand the world and ourselves. However, by arguing that solipsism does matter, after all, Why Solipsism Matters more generally demonstrates that philosophy, even when dealing with highly counterintuitive and “crazy” ideas, may matter in surprising, unexpected ways. It will be shown that the challenge of solipsism should make us rethink fundamental assumptions concerning subjectivity, objectivity, realism vs. idealism, relativism, as well as key topics such as ethical responsibility – that is, our ethical relations to other human beings – and death and mortality. Why Solipsism Matters is not only an historical review of the origins and development of the concept of solipsism and a exploration of some of its key philosophers (Kant and Wittgenstein to name but a few) but it develops an entirely new account of the idea. One which takes seriously the global, socially networked world in which we live in which the very real ramifications of solipsism - including narcissism - can be felt. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 19 | |
Transcendental Solipsism | 47 |
Leaving Solipsism Behind Pragmatist Considerations | 83 |
The Relevance of Solipsism | 111 |
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Common terms and phrases
according acknowledge argues attitude avoiding solipsism Cartesian Cavell chapter claim classical solipsism commitment conception critical critique death Descartes discussion empirical empiricist epistemological solipsism ethical solipsism existence existential experience first-person form of solipsism formulated fundamental genuine hence her/his Hintikka human Husserl idea individual interpretation intersubjectivity issue of solipsism Johnstone Kant Kant's Kantian kind Lalla later Wittgenstein Levinas means metaphilosophical metaphysical realism metaphysical solipsism methodological solipsism methodological solipsist mind moral natural non-solipsism non-solipsistic normative notion objects one’s Pears person perspective phenomenological philosophical philosophy of mind Pihlström point of view position possibility pragmatic pragmatist private language private language argument problem of solipsism Putnam reality refuted regarding rejection of solipsism relation relativism relevant Russell s/he Schopenhauer sense skeptical solipsism solipsism and realism solipsism issue take seriously thesis Tractarian Tractatus transcendent transcendental argument transcendental idealism transcendental solipsism transcendental solipsist transcendental subject truth Valberg versions of solipsism Vossenkuhl 1995 Wittgenstein Wittgensteinian Zahavi