Which statement describes the core belief of solipsism?

The core belief of solipsism is that only one's own mind may truly exist. This philosophical concept posits that knowledge outside of one's own thoughts is uncertain and that the only certainty is one's own consciousness. Solipsists argue that the external world, including other minds, cannot be known or verified and thus may not exist independently from the observer's perception. This view leads to the conclusion that the self is the only verifiable reality. In essence, solipsism embodies a radical form of skepticism regarding the external world and other individuals' minds, highlighting the emphasis on the individual's internal experience as the sole point of reference for existence.

The other options, while related to various philosophical discussions around reality and perception, do not align with the definition of solipsism. For instance, considering reality as independent of perception contradicts solipsistic thought, social interactions shaping reality introduces the idea of a shared or communal existence, and stating that perception can always be trusted assumes an objective reality that solipsism does not endorse. Thus, the belief that only one's mind is assured to exist is the defining characteristic of solipsism.