solipsism

noun

so·lip·sism ˈsō-ləp-ˌsi-zəm

ˈsä-

: a theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing

also : extreme egocentrism

solipsist

ˈsō-ləp-sist

ˈsä-ləp-

sə-ˈlip-

noun

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French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650) can be blamed for the idea that if one whittles away beliefs about which one cannot be certain, one will eventually land at the existence of the self as a singular certainty; however, he cannot be blamed for either the word solipsism or the theory it refers to. (Descartes avoided falling into solipsism by positing that ideas known with the same clarity as the existence of the self is known must also be true.) Philosophical application of the word likely owes something to the French translation of a satiric work written by Venetian scholar Giulio Clemente Scotti in 1645 called Monarchia Solipsorum —in French, La Monarchie des Solipses. The pertinent term is a composite of the Latin solus ("alone") and ipse ("self").

Examples of solipsism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Part of the kick on Brat is Charli’s delirious solipsism, all synthetic robot rah-rah in the beats, but with vocals swerving between defiant egomania and vulnerably tormented self-doubt. —

Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024 David Foster Wallace’s titular Depressed Person dwindles into existential nothingness, a speck of dust in the vacuum of her agonized solipsism. —

Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024 Maybe the fact that Buxton never shows us that team’s dysfunction is a reflection of Josh’s own solipsism, his inability to grapple with anything beyond himself. —

Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2024 Brat connotes mischief, flails toward solipsism; Demurity is much more conservative by contrast and considers community values. —

Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for solipsism

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solipsism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.