Solipsism is a philosophical position asserting that only one’s own mind is sure to exist, and that knowledge of anything outside it is uncertain. It is often discussed in relation to the existence of other minds and the nature of reality. The term can also be used more broadly to describe introspective or self-centered thinking, though in classic philosophy it refers to epistemology and ontology of self.
"In the course on epistemology, solipsism is introduced as a challenging skeptical viewpoint."
"Some philosophers argued against solipsism, defending the knowability of other minds."
"The character’s solipsism manifested as an obsession with his own thoughts and perceptions."
"Despite arguments for solipsism, most thinkers reject it as an untenable explanation of reality."
Solipsism comes from the Latin solus (alone) + ipse (self) + ismus (a suffix denoting a system, doctrine, or practice). The term first appeared in English in the 19th century, rooted in philosophical discourse as a critique of skeptical theories about knowledge. The root solus emphasizes solitary existence, while ipse anchors the focus on the self as the sole knowable thing. Early usage appears in speculative philosophy to denote a theoretical position rather than a widely accepted doctrine; it gained traction in discussions of consciousness, perception, and epistemology as thinkers debated whether other minds can be proven beyond one’s own subjective experience. Over time, solipsism has been used both descriptively in philosophical literature and more loosely in everyday language to describe self-referential or egocentric thought patterns, though it remains most associated with rigorous debates about the limits of knowledge and the persistence of external reality beyond one’s own mind.
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Words that rhyme with "Solipsism"
-ism sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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You say so·lip·si·sm with the primary stress on the second syllable: /səˈlɪp.sɪ.zəm/. Start with a schwa in the first syllable, then a short I sound in the second, a light s in the third, and a light -m at the end. Think: suh-LIP-sih-zuhm, with the middle syllable carrying the main beat. Listen for accuracy by comparing to the standard IPA: /səˈlɪp.sɪ.zəm/.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (often saying so-LIP-sism), merging syllables too tightly (sə-LIP-siz-um), or mispronouncing the final -ism as -ismus. Correct by keeping the second syllable as the strongest beat, clearly articulating the -sɪ- in the third syllable, and finishing with a soft -zəm. Practicing slowly at first helps ensure each phoneme is distinct: /səˈlɪp.sɪ.zəm/.
In US/UK/AU, the initial syllable is typically unstressed with a schwa: /səˈlɪp.sɪ.zəm/. The main difference lies in the rhotics and vowel qualities: US tends to rhoticize the r-like vowel before the second syllable (less relevant here), UK maintains non-rhotic speech but keeps the schwa and short i consistently, and AU often mirrors UK vowels but with broader vowel space. Overall, the primary stress pattern remains on the second syllable across all three.
Three factors make it tricky: the multi-syllabic cadence with a heavy second syllable, the mid-words linking sounds that can blur the /lɪp/ vs. /lɪps/ transition, and the final - zəm ending which should be a voiced z before a schwa, not a hard s. Focusing on the sequence /səˈlɪp.sɪ.zəm/ and keeping each vowel distinct helps prevent slurring. It helps to isolate each phoneme and practice the rhythm slowly.
A notable point is the second syllable vowel: /ɪ/ as in kit, not a long /iː/. Many learners slip into /iː/ or blend the -sip- and -sism- parts. Maintain a crisp /lɪp/ sequence with a light, rapid /s/ between the i and z, and finish with a relaxed /zəm/. This subtle vowel length and consonant sequencing defines the word’s characteristic rhythm.
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