solipsism
Americannoun
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Philosophy. the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist.
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extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of solipsism
Explanation
Solipsism is the philosophical theory that what's in your mind is the only reality that can be known and verified. Solipsism comes from the Latin words for alone (sol) and self (ipse), and means that only the self is real. In metaphysical solipsism, your mind is the only thing that's real, and everything else is just a representation. In epistemological solipsism, there might be a world outside your mind, which you could detect with your senses, but it's impossible to prove. In methodological solipsism the self is the only proper starting point for exploring the nature of reality.
Vocabulary lists containing solipsism
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Solipsism does not fully explain England’s many and varied disappointments over the last 55 years, but it is certainly a contributory factor.
From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2021
Solipsism has turned into shtick, and their childish interest in themselves betrays a confining lack of curiosity about anything else.
From New York Times • Jun. 11, 2013
Solipsism — throughout all of Wallace’s fiction — is the great danger of modern life.
From Time • May 19, 2013
Solipsism, the word they used, is a kind of self-obsession or egocentricity.
From Slate • Oct. 16, 2012
This theory is also called Subjective Idealism or Solipsism.
From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 2: Ebert to Estremadura by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
