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There is no proof of an external world, since nobody has ever experienced it. Everything you consider to be a part of that external world is mediated through yo
by armitron 10y ago
There is no proof of an external world, since nobody has ever experienced it. Everything you consider to be a part of that external world is mediated through your mind.
In short, you exist in virtual reality which is really manifested by your mental map which is layer upon layer of memories, personality traits, beliefs and thoughts.
That does not necessarily mean that "you" create _the_ world, only that your mind gives raise to the subjective reality you have access to, the only reality you have access to.
There may be an external, objective world out there, but we wouldn't be able to directly access it.
- mcguire 10y agoAbsolutely. That's the point of the solipsism argument: you have to assume there is an objective external world or you get into a trivial corner. At which point you need to explain consciousness in other people, which you cannot perceive directly.
- armitron 10y agoWell the assumption of an objective external world I find a bit silly. We can assume that other minds exist since we have direct experience of our own. It's a small leap from one mind to many (a leap nonetheless). But to assume an objective external world exists when nobody has ever experienced such a thing, is a leap of quite different proportions, akin to believing in a bearded man in the sky.