Thursday, July 14, 2011

solipsism



solipsism [ˈsɒlɪpˌsɪzəm] n.

1.) The theory that the self is the only thing that can be known and verified.
2.) The theory or view that the self is the only reality.

Etymology: Latin solus, alone + ipse, self + -ism.

"Well. What happens when paranoid meets paranoid? A crossing of solipsisms. Clearly. The two patterns create a third: a moiré, a new world of flowing shadows, interferences..." (Gravity's Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon, 1973).

(Un bar aux Folies Bergère, Édouard Manet, 1882)

28 comments:

Alexa said...

Good choice of Manet there :)

Anonymous said...

Now this is a word I did know! Have you heard of Anti-Solipsism before?

It's the idea that everything in the world is real, but you aren't. I can't even really wrap my head around it.

Anonymous said...

Awesome description, I love your blog!

DEZMOND said...

an interesting philosophy!

RaShelle Workman said...

I love it. =D

Daily Car Reviews said...

what can i say, thats just so interestign!

Natasha said...

Really pretty word to say, and yeah 21 is a big deal, but not to me haha. To me it's just another birthday and all birthday's are big deals right? xxx

Unknown said...

Now to go to my next cocktail party

Angela said...

I like the picture of the girl in the mirror. Self meets self. Clever.

GMizzle said...

lovez it

D4 said...

I wonder how ala mode didn't know the word but knew the anti word o_o

Unknown said...

Wow. That painting and that word really do match beautifully. It is a haunting idea.

Losing My Balance said...

I'll try and drop this into my next conversation

Melanie said...

I need to go make people feel dumb and use this word now. That would make my day.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Pshaw!

Jennifer Fabulous said...

I like this word. I like the way it sounds and I like the definition. But I have a feeling I will trip on the word if I ever try to use it...

dwizzt said...

another awesome word of the day!

Sick by Trend said...

I love the pic as usual. It's very interesting .. why you choose them?

xx

www.sickbytrend.com

Wolle said...

Thanks for this enlightment.

netw said...

it's not just that. For example, in Montale solipsism is a very profound thematic, which cant' be explained with "The theory or view that the self is the only reality." Really nice post though.

love your blog

Sean Thomas Fisher said...

Cool word! Now I know what to call it when I try explaining to my girlfriend she is just a hologram. I knew I wasn't crazy...

shari said...

I wrote and rewrote my comment to this idea of solipsism. I decided to let it go. My inchoate thoughts on the concept aren't cohesive enough to be revealed. ;-)

Kristin H said...

Great one from Pynchon. Thanks! Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

So it's like your own personal Matrix, lol.

Shaw said...

Now I finally have a word to match the theory that is always in the back of my mind.

A Beer for the Shower said...

What if I doubt the existence of myself?

Choms1337 said...

this is great :D very good stuff :P

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading that example... a moiré :>

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