Solipsism: Why You're a Figment of My Imagination

At one point in time I denied that I was the sole creator of this universe. I argued that those people around me had actual thoughts and feelings and they cared for things much the same way that I did. But was I mistaken? Is this whole reality a delusion? Is everything a figment of my imagination? A construction of the mind that has forgotten a higher reality? Is my VR headset on a little too tight?

I've simply forgotten how to take this headset off

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines solipsism as a theory that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing. That is certainly one way of viewing solipsism. I was taught in philosophy that solipsism was the idea that the only thing one could definitively know is the self. The first definition is a metaphysical position, the second one is an epistemological one. One deals with reality itself, the other deals with knowledge.

So, when I say that you are a figment of my imagination, I'm really taking the first viewpoint. I'm conceiving reality such that I'm the only entity that exists. However, such a belief isn't very convincing. I'm sure you don't believe that you are a figment of my imagination. Your belief might be wrong as far as I know. But even if the first position is correct, I'm simply wasting time trying to convince you about something you clearly won't believe unless you are crazy or you are actually a figment of my imagination.

In terms of the second viewpoint, this is also a waste of time to put it bluntly. While from a certain viewpoint it is true that we can't know for sure anything beyond ourselves (I think, therefore I am), we still engage our lives with objects and entities that may or may not exist because we believe they exist. It doesn't matter if you actually exist. If I believe you exist, then I will take action in that way. Although solipsism cannot be disproven, we'd be wasting our time arguing for it.

Am I a lonely individual traveling this perceived universe by myself? Possibly. But pragmatically speaking, I believe in the world I live in and thus take the actions necessary to survive and prosper in such perceived conditions. Why am I talking about such irrelevant thoughts in terms of pragmatic reality? Because:

1. It's fun
2. The Love of Wisdom (philosophy)
3. I've actually had arguments about this

So, if you ever get into an argument that goes in this direction, STOP.

Step 1: Realize there is no winning position
Step 2: Accept that your life is all based on a hunch that your perceptions are correct
Step 3: Enjoy the 20 minutes you've saved from avoiding the black hole that is solipsism

TLDR: I'm clearly a figment of your imagination, and there's nothing you can do about it.

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