Word of the day: solipsism
Word of the Day: Solipsism (noun)
Pronunciation: [sa-'lip-si-zêm]
Definition: The view that only the self can be known or that the self is the only reality (egotism).
Usage: Since our only source of knowledge of the world is our personal senses (eyes, ears, etc.), it could be argued that one only knows that he or she exists. Is it possible that our senses betray us, and that all we see and hear are but tricks played on us by our mind? This solipsistic (adjective) thinking appeals to only a few solipsists (noun); however, the view would seem to be irrefutable.
Suggested Usage: Outside philosophy solipsism leads to isolation: joy is my joy, pain is my pain. I cannot be sure anyone else feels any such emotions. It is a reasoned egotism: "Farley, your arguments that you are best suited for the job is pure solipsism!" Solipsism is also an isolation from the real world, "When Bonita is writing, she falls into a solipsistic state impervious to the outside world."
Etymology: Latin solus "alone" +ipse "self" + -ism. "Solus" is the origin of "solo" but also can be found in "solitary," "soliloquy," and "desolate." In the Germanic languages it became solein "alone," devolving into English "sullen." Apparently, there was a variant with a suffix -bh which became English "self" and Russian sebya "self."
-Dr. Language, YourDictionary.com
Pronunciation: [sa-'lip-si-zêm]
Definition: The view that only the self can be known or that the self is the only reality (egotism).
Usage: Since our only source of knowledge of the world is our personal senses (eyes, ears, etc.), it could be argued that one only knows that he or she exists. Is it possible that our senses betray us, and that all we see and hear are but tricks played on us by our mind? This solipsistic (adjective) thinking appeals to only a few solipsists (noun); however, the view would seem to be irrefutable.
Suggested Usage: Outside philosophy solipsism leads to isolation: joy is my joy, pain is my pain. I cannot be sure anyone else feels any such emotions. It is a reasoned egotism: "Farley, your arguments that you are best suited for the job is pure solipsism!" Solipsism is also an isolation from the real world, "When Bonita is writing, she falls into a solipsistic state impervious to the outside world."
Etymology: Latin solus "alone" +ipse "self" + -ism. "Solus" is the origin of "solo" but also can be found in "solitary," "soliloquy," and "desolate." In the Germanic languages it became solein "alone," devolving into English "sullen." Apparently, there was a variant with a suffix -bh which became English "self" and Russian sebya "self."
-Dr. Language, YourDictionary.com