Why Solipsism Matters

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Solipsism is one of the philosophical thesis or ideas that has generally been regarded as highly implausible, or even crazy. The view that the world is my world in the sense that nothing exists independently of my mind, thought, and/or experience is, understandably, frowned up as a genuine philosophical position. For this reason, solipsism might be regarded as an example of a philosophical position that does not matter at all. It does not seem to play any role in our serious attempts to understand the world and ourselves. However, by arguing that solipsism does matter, after all, Why Solipsism Matters more generally demonstrates that philosophy, even when dealing with highly counterintuitive and crazy ideas, may matter in surprising, unexpected ways. It will be shown that the challenge of solipsism should make us rethink fundamental assumptions concerning subjectivity, objectivity, realism vs. idealism, relativism, as well as key topics such as ethical responsibility that is, our ethical relations to other human beings and death and mortality. Why Solipsism Matters is not only an historical review of the origins and development of the concept of solipsism and a exploration of some of its key philosophers (Kant and Wittgenstein to name but a few) but it develops an entirely new account of the idea. One which takes seriously the global, socially networked world in which we live in which the very real ramifications of solipsism - including narcissism - can be felt.

Reviews

Solipsism, the idea that my self is the only thing that exists while everything else is a product of my mind, belongs among the most radical and most curious philosophical positions. Nonetheless, Sami Pihlstrm lucidly and convincingly argues that solipsism is in fact extraordinarily relevant to our ethical choices. His superb book compels us to seriously rethink fundamental existential issues. * Leszek Koczanowicz, Professor of Philosophy and Psychology, SWPS University, Poland *
Why Solipsism Matters is an intellectual joy/ Sami Pihlstrm demonstrates that Solipsism is no mere philosophical curiosity but is so intertwined with modern and contemporary modes of philosophy that direct refutation is not possible. His application of Wittgensteinean insights is breathtaking. The book challenges our common sense beliefs about self and reality and leads us to a self-critical vantage. * Kirill O. Thompson, Professor of Foreign Languages and Literatures, National Taiwan University, Taiwan *

Author Bio

Sami Pihlstrm is Professor of Philosophy of Religion at the University of Helsinki, Finland. His previous publications include Pragmatic Pluralism and the Problem of God (2013) and Taking Evil Seriously (2014). He is a board member of the Central European Pragmatist Forum and the Nordic Pragmatism Network.