A little philosophical
What is the difference between
1. Materialism and determinism?
2. Solipsism and skepticism?
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- Materialism is the view that there is only matter in the world. Determinism is the view that everything is predetermined and there is no choice. There is some connection between the views because if you are a materialist then, at least in light of science, it is unlikely that you are a libertarian. But there is no conceptual connection between these two ideas.
- 2. Solipsism is the belief that there is no world outside of what I know. Skepticism is the rejection of true claims regardless of their truth. Solipsism is sometimes referred to as a type of skepticism, because it casts doubt on the existence of external reality.
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1. Can you briefly explain to me why a materialist would be likely to be a determinist, please?
2. I didn't understand "except for what I knew". I have always known the world through my knowledge. Besides, you wrote (Nobody, page 96) that solipsism is a perception that the world and we do not exist (that's why I was confused about whether it is skepticism that says that maybe we do not exist), what does this have to do with what you wrote in your reply?
1. Because the material body is governed by the laws of physics, and the laws of physics are deterministic (meaning without choice. There are also quanta, but this is randomness and not choice).
2. You know the world through your consciousness, but the solipsist claims that there is no world. There is only what is in consciousness.
Solipsism does not say that we do not exist, but that the world does not exist. If we do not exist, then our consciousness does not exist either.
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