solipsistic

Solipsistic is an adjective describing a stance, attitude, or theory that regards the self as the sole certain existence. In philosophy, solipsism is the position that only one’s own mind is sure to exist, and that knowledge of anything outside one’s own mental contents is uncertain or unattainable.

There are several related forms. Metaphysical solipsism claims that only the solipsist’s mind exists, while epistemological solipsism holds that knowledge of anything beyond one’s own mental states is impossible to know with certainty. Methodological solipsism is a strategy used in analysis or argumentation that treats other minds as hypothetical or as constructs for the sake of discussion, without asserting their real existence. In everyday language, solipsistic can describe a person who is self-absorbed, focused on their own experiences, or who treats others as if they exist only in relation to their perception.

Solipsism is a radical form of skepticism and is typically rejected or regarded as a thought experiment rather than a viable worldview within mainstream philosophy. Critics appeal to the problem of other minds, shared experience, and pragmatic social functioning as arguments against solipsism. Thought experiments such as the brain in a vat or simulated reality are often cited to illustrate epistemic challenges, rather than to endorse solipsism.

Etymology: solipsistic derives from solus (alone) and ipse (self). The term is used in philosophical discourse as well as in literature and cultural criticism to describe attitudes or theories that elevate the primacy of the self.