Solipsism

[ehowton]

Solipsism is an epistemological position that one's own perceptions are the only things that can be known with certainty. Metaphysical solipsism is the variety of idealism which maintains that the individual self of the solipsistic philosopher is the whole of knowable reality and that the external world and other persons are representations of that self having no perceptual independent existence.

An intriguing paradox concerning solipsism was described by the British writer Eric Bond Hutton in 1989. As a child Hutton often had lucid dreams in which people and things seemed as solid and real as in waking life. This led him to wonder whether life itself was a dream, even whether he existed only in somebody else's dream. Once in a while he would have a pre-lucid dream (in which one suspects that one is dreaming). He always found these somewhat disturbing, but one day hit upon a magic formula to be used in them: "If I find myself asking 'Am I dreaming?' it proves that I am, since this question would never occur to me in waking life." Yet, such is the nature of dreams, he could never recall it when he needed to. Many years later, when he came to write about his childhood fascination with dreams, he was struck by a contradiction in his earlier reasoning. True, asking oneself "Am I dreaming?" in a dream would seem to prove that one is. And yet that is precisely what he had often asked himself in waking life. Therein lay a paradox. What was he to conclude? That it does not prove one is dreaming? Or that life really is a dream?

Similar in nature, though not involving any paradox, is Zhuangzi's Dream. Zhuangzi, the ancient Chinese philosopher, once had a vivid dream in which he was a butterfly, fluttering happily here and there. Suddenly he woke up, but afterward was never certain whether he was a man who once dreamt he was a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming he was a man.

I wonder if I'm living in a world of my own creation?

Comments

[photogoot.livejournal.com]

Profound. So the question I am asking myself now is am I looking for a way of life I love or courage? Hmmm. I would have to say I find myself still looking, but at the same time questioning if I'll have the courage when (and if) that way of life is found. The thing is 18 months ago I would have said I had found it and was living it. The question then becomes did I have the courage to see honestly that it was not. Hmmm. There are more circles in life than I ever realized. Well I think that's plenty enough ramblings from a madman tonight!

Here's to good hunting and courage!

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

The courage you have now is the courage you had then; you're simply having to apply it. Circumstances change; often beyond our control. More courage doesn't mean more control, it simply means having the fortitude to withstand the difficulty. You sir, are doing just that.

[photogoot.livejournal.com]

Thats a good observation and sound advice. Thanks.

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

Maybe, dear, the way of life has more to do with you internally rather than what's external to you!
Besides, in a way you are still living part of that same life as 18 months ago...children would be considered a way of life!

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Not all change is good, that is true - but any change is a chance to learn. And with experience comes growth. Pine not for things lost, for they are gone forever; but dare not forget them, lest you lose who you are.

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

“I've learned that good-byes will always hurt, pictures will never replace having been there, memories good and bad will bring tears, and words can never replace feelings.”

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

You are wise beyond your years.

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

“In this world of change, nothing which comes stays, and nothing which goes is lost.”

[photogoot.livejournal.com]

Without question you are correct. Children are a way of life. One which I pursued for more than two years with my partner and we were together for 8 years before he came along. It has shaken the foundation of my trust in my own judgment that my partner was not as committed to that in a traditional family sense as I and I missed it. But looking at it the way you put it I need to find the courage and ingenuity to keep that way of life for myself and my son despite what or who swirls around us. I like it, that seems less uncertain to me.

and you say I shouldn't take your advice... :-)

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

Some things sure can be an eye-opener, can't they?!

Change and life experiences keep on coming whether we want them to or not!

[danzigfried.livejournal.com]

Hakuna Matata, bitches!