From: pebblepup	Date: November 3rd, 2002 06:00 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Your reference to epistemology as the belief that all information comes from one's own experience is a tadlet wonky: I think you're thinking of empiricism. Epistemology is simply the philosophy and study of knowledge, which is what your essay is about.

As to the rest... I'll get back to you, although I suspect your use of Occam's Razor is precarious, because it almost always is.

From: (Anonymous)	Date: December 5th, 2002 10:25 am (UTC)		(Link)
Nice Try

For your first arguement of the fact that it is hard to explain it to somebody else, that is because of the fact that they are "automotons" and designed to argue for there own conciousness.

For you second arguement of when two solipsist meet, one of them must be wrong. we can just leave it at that. one of them must be wrong, this isn't even an arguement.

As for the whole self is god shpeel. the only comment that you made is a why question. Why does the solipsist think that it is the product of conciousness. because that self is the only thing with the capacity to create it. this isn't an arguement only a question.

You final arguement is that by following what biologically the self has in comparison to other beings we can determine that the similarities mandate conciousness. This has two problems. The first is that to the Solipsist biology is created by the self and therefore bears no relevance. the second is that you are mistaking a correlation for a cause and effect. There is nothing to show that biological similarities mandate conciousness.

In short, nice try but you have only posed questions easily answered by the solipsist. these questions by no means demean, much less disproove solipsism as a whole.

John The Solipsism Debater

From: (Anonymous)	Date: April 5th, 2003 09:15 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Given your struggle with this issue, I think you might benefit from reading Ramana Maharshi and Ramesh Balsekar.

mike

From: (Anonymous)	Date: October 19th, 2003 08:58 am (UTC)		(Link)

u dunno ur dreaming when ur in a dream, at least, most of the time, u lose that sense of judgement. however that dream becomes, u dun have an idea of your pseudo-existence in a world created by your brain. and although biologically and psychologically speaking, your brain creates all those people, things, places and events in your dreams, you don't necessarily have the power to control these things you create. in the same way, to say solipsism is a world out of your figment of imagination, you don't necessarily be omnipotent. besides it's also possible that you create conscious beings out of your mind. if their consciousness is dependent upon your existence, then your extinction will mean a total collapse of everything you create.

	From: victoly	Date: December 1st, 2003 03:17 am (UTC)		(Link)
	Solipsism

You make the mistake of assuming that solipsism is making claims of validity regarding the possibility of the Other, which it is not. You state: "This [solipsism] means that only your self exists, nothing else." This is incorrect. Solipsism is the belief that only the consciousness of the self is knowable. It does not suggest that an other consciousness is not possible, only that it is not directly knowable. There's a big difference between knowable and existing which you do not address in your essay, and most of your points are rendered moot because of this.

From: (Anonymous)	Date: December 10th, 2003 08:52 pm (UTC)		(Link)
All's well in Hell

You're an idiot, solipism is impossble to refute in any way whatsoever. Your logic to disprove it is simplistically tautological in nature. You try to prove that solipsim doesnt exist by giving proofs that are suggetive ofthe fact that solipism doesnt exist. Every thing you said was insubstantial.

From: (Anonymous)	Date: January 27th, 2004 01:01 pm (UTC)		(Link)
Solipsism

Great essay, really. But I have to say it... prove it Vexen. ;)

From: (Anonymous)	Date: February 11th, 2004 05:35 pm (UTC)		(Link)
Solipsism

You aren't real, and I know you will not agree, cause I am writing this to myself almost, my mind will tell me exactly what you will say.

From: (Anonymous)	Date: April 11th, 2004 05:10 pm (UTC)		(Link)
Re: "Solipsism"

I find myself intrigued with your take on solipsism and confused as to precisely why you feel the need to drop it. I think perhaps I do not understand you when you use the term "biology." I consider myself a solipsist. I consider all others a manifestation of my SELF... I am eternal and I wrote these happenings before I was born. I have allowed self-created consciousness to forget my intentions so that I might learn from this game that I have set up to keep myself from growing bored. ;-) And so, my friend, I would like to see what it has been slated that you are to teach me... or perhaps a non-response is what is meant to be. Take care of yourself. Live forever and enjoy it. What else is there to do?
-Rinn
(erinn_la_fey@yahoo.com)