15 November 2013

solipsism

[sol-ip-siz-uhm]
noun

1. Philosophy. the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist. The extreme form of scepticism which denies the possibility of any knowledge other than of one’s own existence
2. extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one’s feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.

Example:

Avoiding solipsism requires that we assign consciousness (or reality) to everyone we could meet who is sufficiently similar to ourselves.

Origin:
1880–85; sol(i)-1 + Latin ips ( e ) self + -ism

Related forms
sol·ip·sis·mal, adjective
sol·ip·sist, noun, adjective
sol·ip·sis·tic [sol-ip-sis-tik]  adjective

Can be confused: solecism, solipsism.

Today’s aphorism

Love is the answer, and you know that for sure; Love is a flower, you’ve got to let it grow.

– John Lennon

On this day

15 November 1943 – Nazi SS leader, Heinrich Himmler issues an order stating that Gypsies were to be treated the same as Jews and sent to concentration camps.

15 November 1988 – Yasser Arafat, head of the Palestinian National Conference, declares the independence of Palestine.

15 November 2007 – Cyclone Sidr, with 160km/h winds, strikes Bangladesh. Over 2 million people are evacuated from coastal areas. Around 5,000 people were killed.

15 November 2008 – death of Ivan Southall AM, DFC, Australian writer of young-adult fiction and non-fiction. Books include ‘Ash Road’, ‘Let the Balloon Go’, ‘Hill’s End’, ‘Fly West’ and ‘Josh. Born 8 June 1921.