Thread: You are all figments of my imagination ...

I would think anyone who believed this would be extremely self centered.

Not necessarily. If they believed that they are all that exist, then they would possibly see the rest of the world as an extension of themselves, and therefore would see anything negative in the world as being directly negative for them. Its possible that one's solipsism could develop into the ultimate altruistic philosophy.

So.. prove to me that you're "real".. (rhetorical).

prove to me that I am not.

The "you" and the "me" are one in the same thing, having uniquely distinct conscious experiences through both individual points of view.

I don't see a reason not to believe it.

Originally Posted by Xaqaria

Not necessarily. If they believed that they are all that exist, then they would possibly see the rest of the world as an extension of themselves, and therefore would see anything negative in the world as being directly negative for them. Its possible that one's solipsism could develop into the ultimate altruistic philosophy.

Whoa. I never looked at it that way before. I tend to think that anyone who actually believes this would be able to justify committing terrible crimes and the like. I guess the complete opposite can happen, too.

Well what is REAL? The brain or the spirit (supposing it exists)?
It's like being in a dream world, everyone else is just an extension of yourself. But that only occurs in one's mind.

We are real, but what we see is illusion by our brain, atleast what i hear. Our expierience, who we meet, how we feel, what we feel, our pains, our sorrows, our enjoys, etc etc are all real. This is like a shared illusionairy(sp) reality we all can see, smell, taste, etc in.

But that's the point. If it's all just in your head, it might not be real. Just like a dream, where you think everything is real, but it isn't. Well at least for the "others" (if they exist), it isn't real. Maby it's not as shared as you think.

Originally Posted by Bonsay

I don't see a reason not to believe it.

This man is right.

Originally Posted by Xaqaria

Not necessarily. If they believed that they are all that exist, then they would possibly see the rest of the world as an extension of themselves, and therefore would see anything negative in the world as being directly negative for them. Its possible that one's solipsism could develop into the ultimate altruistic philosophy.

Although that would (in most circumstances) still qualify as "self-centeredness."

If you're helping your fellow man simply because you believe your fellow man is a part of you - and, therefore, the benefit is ultimately yours - is it really altruism?

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

Although that would (in most circumstances) still qualify as "self-centeredness."

If you're helping your fellow man simply because you believe your fellow man is a part of you - and, therefore, the benefit is ultimately yours - is it really altruism?

What difference do the motives behind your actions make, if the actions themselves remain the same?

Originally Posted by Xaqaria

What difference do the motives behind your actions make, if the actions themselves remain the same?

Well that all depends on perspective. If you were only speaking about his actions, then that's one thing. But, when you said it could develop into "altruistic philosophy," as if it was a moral positive, then that's something completely different.

But sure, if he was nice to everyone else, even if only because he was deluded into thinking he was only helping himself, then that wouldn't exactly be a bad thing for the rest of mankind.

Oh, so now the figments of my imagination are turning on me and saying I am a figment of their imaginations?!! I'm afraid it's the other way around, characters!

Wow! I didn't know there was a name for this. I have trouble dealing with people sometimes, and I pretend this all the time just for my own peace of mind. It's easier to deal with somebody who intimidates you when you believe you've created them or they're not real. I don't think I ever truly believe it though.

I've honestly thought about this before. I never did know or find a term for it. I've wondered before about being the only real person in this world of mine.

I've thought the same thing plenty of times. Along with a few other variations. Like the fact that everything is a construct of my own mind. When something leaves my field of view, my mind discards it and therefore is ceases to exist. Until of course it comes back into my field of view. Like when I'm about to walk into a room, the room isn't there until I walk into it and can see it. And the worst part about this is that, as crazy as it seems, it seems much more plausible than Catholicism, for example. No offense.

And this discussion and you all bringing the topic up is just my mind trying to throw me off the truth and confuse me. It's all a conspiracy!!!!!!!!!

A lot of people would think this, so this is sort of a natural thing built into our brains. The fact that you are alive and thinking this would fuel this. When lots of people believe that they are the "one", is it likely to be true?

The greatest trick humanity ever pulled was convincing the universe that we exist.

Originally Posted by TimeStopper

A lot of people would think this, so this is sort of a natural thing built into our brains. The fact that you are alive and thinking this would fuel this. When lots of people believe that they are the "one", is it likely to be true?

It is only true in my case.

I used to believe in this... I'm not sure if I still believe in it... When you think about how the universe was created, there's no beginning... There would either have to be nothingness that turned into matter somehow or there would have to be a creator of God... Either way, there's no origin... This gets me to believe that I might not even exist... Saying that, how do I have my own mind... Where did everything come from... Once I realize that my mind had to come from somewhere, I realize that it too would have to come from one of the two ideas... Once again, those two ideas don't have origins, so the likeliness of us both existing would be even more improbable than only one of us existing... That's what led me to believe in Solipsism... There's also the chance that there is another universe that created us... This gets me to believe that there may be more than just scientific reasons and the belief in God... There might be another way for the universe to have been created but we haven't figured out what it is... Once again, that other way, wouldn't have to do with science or God...

Originally Posted by TimeStopper

When lots of people believe that they are the "one", is it likely to be true?

Well, how likely are religions to be true? Most of the world is a part of some beleif sistem.
No matter how many DCs tell me that I'm not dreaming, I still am. So if I am the only "real" one here, it's the same as in those dreams.

Originally Posted by Bonsay

Well, how likely are religions to be true? Most of the world is a part of some beleif sistem.
No matter how many DCs tell me that I'm not dreaming, I still am. So if I am the only "real" one here, it's the same as in those dreams.

Except that those DCs are parts of you as "real" as the one you've cordoned off as observer.