Solipsism—the idea that only your mind is sure to exist and that everything else is just a projection of your consciousness—is one of the most absurd philosophical schools of thought. It asks questions like, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” This question, though pondered by philosophers, is really just an exercise in intellectual gymnastics that ignores basic scientific principles. Let’s break it down.
1. Sound is Vibration, Not Perception
The idea that a tree falling in a forest doesn’t make a sound simply because no one is there to hear it is nonsense. Sound is a physical phenomenon—it’s a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave through a transmission medium like air, water, or solid objects. Whether or not someone is around to hear it, the tree still makes a sound. This is like asking, “If I close my eyes, do I disappear?” The world doesn’t cease to exist just because you can’t see it. Atoms, forces, and physical laws don’t need your observation to continue existing.
2. The Universe Doesn’t Need Us to Exist
The universe existed for billions of years before conscious life evolved. The stars burned bright long before humans or any other conscious beings could witness it. The idea that the universe exists only because we perceive it goes against the very foundation of science. It also contradicts a basic religious principle found in Exodus 20:3-5 KJV, which states: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Solipsism, by implying that you create everything by observing it, elevates your perception to a god-like level, which directly contradicts the concept of a higher power that governs the universe.
3. Our Senses Are Not Universal
Conscious beings, including humans, experience the world through different senses. Your cat doesn’t see the same colors you do. This doesn’t mean your cat’s perception of reality is less valid than yours; it’s just different. Solipsism ignores this diversity in sensory perception and mistakenly assumes that your way of experiencing the world is the only valid one. The fact that different creatures experience reality differently is evidence that the world exists beyond your individual perception.
4. Knowledge Expansion Is Key
As a man, it’s essential to strive to expand your knowledge. If you’re constantly questioning whether the world exists around you, you’ll never get anywhere. You can’t make progress if you stop every meter to check if your keys exist in your pocket. The world is full of real, tangible things waiting for you to explore, learn, and grow from. Instead of wasting time questioning your own existence, invest that energy into building your knowledge, your strength, and your understanding of the world.
In conclusion, solipsism is an intellectually lazy path that leads nowhere. The world exists, and your perceptions of it are just a small part of the vast reality around you. As men, we need to focus on expanding our knowledge and growing in ways that push us forward. Stop wasting time on existential doubts and start embracing the world as it is, full of endless opportunities for growth and learning.
