solipsism

Advancedzipf 2.11

Pronunciation

/ˈsɒlɪpsɪzəm/(SOL-ip-siz-um)

Part of speech

nounformal

Chinese

唯我论;极端自我中心

Definition

The philosophical idea that only one's own mind is sure to exist; extreme self-centeredness.

Word family

  • solipsist/ˈsɒlɪpsɪst/(n)唯我论者
  • solipsistic/ˌsɒlɪpˈsɪstɪk/(adj)唯我论的

Collocations

  • philosophical solipsism
  • solipsistic worldview
  • cultural solipsism
  • intellectual solipsism

Examples

  1. 1.Social media can encourage a kind of solipsism where only one's own experience seems real. (extreme self-focus)
  2. 2.The philosopher argued that solipsism, while logically irrefutable, is psychologically impossible to sustain. (only the self exists)

Synonyms

  • egocentrism/ˌiːɡəʊˈsɛntrɪzəm/self-centeredness
  • narcissism/ˈnɑːsɪsɪzəm/excessive self-love
  • navel-gazing/ˈneɪvəlˌɡeɪzɪŋ/excessive self-absorption, informal

Etymology

from Latin "solus" (alone) + "ipse" (self) — the self alone — only the self is real