Philosophy of the Day

Solipsism:

• An epistemological position that one's own perceptions are the only things that can be known with certainty. The nature of the external world — that is, the source of one's perceptions; therefore cannot be conclusively known; it may not even exist. This is also called external world skepticism.

• A metaphysical belief that the universe is entirely the creation of one's own mind. Thus, in a sense, the belief that nothing 'exists' outside of one's own mind.

Solipsism is first recorded with the Greek presocratic who is quoted as having stated:

1. Nothing exists
2. Even if something exists, nothing can be known about it, and
3. Even if something could be known about it, knowledge about it can't be communicated to others