What does solipsist mean?
A solipsist is, strictly speaking, someone who accepts the philosophical doctrine of solipsism: that the self is the only reality that can be known, or even that nothing exists beyond the self. In ordinary usage, however, the word more often describes a person who is absorbed in their own thoughts, needs, and perceptions and shows little concern for other people. That figurative sense carries a pejorative tone and should not be confused with ordinary selfishness, which implies pursuing personal advantage rather than a distinctive philosophical worldview. The term is formal and relatively uncommon, so “self-absorbed” or “self-centred” can be clearer when no philosophical point is intended. A solipsist can be a character in a novel, a figure in an argument about perception and reality, or a label for someone whose attention appears permanently turned inward. Its unusual sound and precise intellectual history make it memorable, but precision matters: it is stronger and more specific than “introvert,” which does not imply either philosophical belief or indifference toward others.
nounA person who believes that the self is the only reality that can be known; by extension, someone who is excessively absorbed in their own thoughts and unconcerned with others.
- A person who accepts the philosophical doctrine that the self is the only reality that can be known.
- A person who is excessively self-absorbed and shows little concern for other people.
"The philosopher dismissed her as a solipsist who could not imagine a reality beyond her own mind."
"Her novel presents the artist as a solipsist who believes that only his own perceptions possess reality."
"Although he was an excellent strategist, colleagues regarded him as a solipsist who showed little interest in collaboration."
The regular plural is solipsists.
"Several solipsists appear throughout the playwright's examination of self-knowledge and artistic isolation."
The word joins the Latin idea of being alone with the Greek idea of the self, capturing the notion that the self is the only reality one can know.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does solipsist come from?
Solipsist is an English derivative of solipsism, a term formed through French solipsisme from Latin solus, meaning “alone,” and Greek ipsē, meaning “self.” The combination expresses the idea that the self is isolated from, or is the limit of, what can be known. The word belongs to the same philosophical family as solipsism and solipsistic and developed alongside modern discussions of perception, mind, and reality.
How solipsist is actually used
The term is formal and relatively uncommon. Its philosophical sense is precise, while the figurative sense is pejorative and stronger than merely describing an introvert or a self-centred person.
Easily confused with solipsist
Solipsism is the doctrine or philosophical position, whereas a solipsist is the person who holds it.