--- In [email protected], TurquoiseB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > [I wrote: > > > It's just that you can't really settle the > > > pragmatic issues if solipsism is theoretically > > > possible. <snip> > Yup. I still like my punch-em-in-the-solar- > plexus approach to solipsists. "Theoretically" > is another way of saying, "If the universe > worked the way I'd like it to..."
Wow. I didn't notice this until Jim quoted it just now. It's not true in general, nor is it true for me with regard to solipsism. What Barry means is that he doesn't like to have to contemplate even the theoretical possibility that the universe *doesn't* work the way *he'd* like it to. The very thought is so abhorrent to him that he'd leave anybody he thought believed it-- > sitting on the ground gasping for breath and > wondering how they ever thought *that* one up > IMO. :-) That's the way Barry would prefer to settle metaphysical disagreements: with violence. And look how much he enjoys the fantasy. Just in the past two days: "I've always noticed that a good surprise punch in the solar plexus cures most solipsists of their naive belief that they create the universe all by themselves." (BTW, Barry has never actually met a solipsist, let alone punched one in the solar plexus.) "A solar plexus strike is good for that; just out of the blue, no warning whatsoever, and the budding solipsist can't breathe..." "But one quick shoto strike to the solar plexus, and the truth of interdependent origination is made clear. :-)" "I still like my theory of just punching the solipsist in the solar plexus." (In other words, if the universe worked the way Barry would like it to.) "It's far preferable to jab a person in the solar plexus..." Anybody think Barry's struggling with some anger issues?
