What philosophical concept questions the existence of anything beyond one's own mind?

Study for the UCF PSY4604 Test. Prepare with extensive flashcards and multiple choice questions, each framed with hints and explanations. Excel in your exam!

The philosophical concept that questions the existence of anything beyond one's own mind is solipsism. This viewpoint holds that only one's own mind is sure to exist, leading to doubts about the existence of an external world or other minds. Solipsism posits that all knowledge of the outside world is uncertain, as it is only through individual perception and consciousness that one can ascertain existence. This perspective emphasizes a subjective experience and has profound implications for epistemology and metaphysics, as it challenges the assumptions we typically hold about the reality of others and the world around us.

In contrast, rationalism focuses on reason as the primary source of knowledge, while empiricism emphasizes sensory experience. Dualism, on the other hand, posits a distinction between the mind and body, asserting that both exist independently. Each of these concepts operates within a different framework of understanding reality, thereby illustrating why solipsism uniquely centers on the individual's experience of existence.

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