Solipsism is the philosophical outlook that only the self exists and that everything else is a manifestation of one's own imagination. That is, the entire universe only exists insofar as you can imagine and perceive it.
We all have to live with the knowledge that solipsism is a logically defensible position and therefore might be correct. Perhaps you are the only person who actually exists, and you have to take responsibility for everything else that happens in the universe. That includes all war, all famine and all suffering.
By now I'm sure some of you will know where I'm going with this. But I'll continue anyway. If the solipsist outlook is true, you have to take responsibility for all suffering, as you're the existing individual and all existence is dependent on your perception. Therefore, the only ethical choice is to become a hermit and cease to perceive anything that can avoid being perceived. This way, all suffering ends, as no one can be perceived to be suffering by you, the only existing individual.
Like I said, simple.
So what if solipsism is not true? What then?
ReplyDeleteI challenge you to demonstrate that it's not.
ReplyDelete