But your answer is based on assumptions. If realism is the way it is, I say universals could exist. If not, I’m a conceptualist. But there’s no way to tell.
How true it is.
So you keep saying, but I still wonder, “What can you tell?”
Does the ‘can’ mean accurately, as in really? If so, nothing except that you exist.
I’ve seen a man or two challenge even that claim. One wonders (“one” being “me”) how you can “really” know you exist, but that those methods of evaluation somehow manage to fail for everything else… including the process of learning what the word “exist” means so that you may self-apply it.
Sorry for coming in late. My opinions: It is impossible to prove one’s own existence without begging the question; and with respect to universal truth, that too is impossible since the statement “there is universal truth” would have to be analytically true. It isn’t, so there isn’t.
Within a solipsistic worldview, you still have this “external world” out there. ‘Really’ means whatever the word connotes in one’s constructed meaning. Ultimately, it’s all matter in motion and is just is.
Matter, as opposed to what?
Nothing. Just a label for whatever there is. I just rephrased Baron d’Holbach’s sentiments.
You seem to be targetting my use of universals constructed by meaning as a indicator of real “universals” existence. Ain’t much fun.
You seem to retreat to solipsism anytime the question demands an answer. If that’s your bag, fine. I don’t understand the motivation for solipsism, nor do I find it particularly insightful at all. But you’ve got me, you can’t beat solipsism, either, it is rock solid skepticism.
And what genuine insights does one get with realism?
Eris,
In defense of solipsism:
When one understands that one’s experience of reality, while all you got, is not reality, and that other’s experiences of reality may be similar to yours but may not be the same as yours, then one approaches the group process of communication and knowledge building with the caution that it deserves.
No need to argue with me. I’m not even really here. And I don’t want to argue solipsism, it is just impossible. You will always be right because you are the only one who has anything to say about correctness. If you’ll excuse me.