And then he got all indignant, as though I had done something.
(I hope that philosophy jokes sometimes hit around here.)
Edit: Okay, it hit with enough folks that they came back with their own pretty funny solipsism jokes. Nice.
Joke Poo: The Existential Plumber
A woman told me she hired an existential plumber, so I asked what he did.
He said, “I came, I plumbed… maybe.”
Then he charged her double, because, as he explained, “How can you really know if I was ever even here to begin with?”
Alright, let’s break down this solipsistic sucker punch of a joke!
Deconstruction:
- Core Concept: The joke revolves around solipsism, the philosophical idea that only one’s own mind is sure to exist.
- Setup: The punchline hinges on the solipsist’s reaction to being punched, which is “indignation.”
- Punchline (Twist): The humor derives from the contradiction between solipsism (belief that only the self exists) and indignation (an emotion implying the existence and significance of someone else causing harm). If only the solipsist’s mind exists, then the punch couldn’t possibly be real, or at least shouldn’t matter.
- Underlying Assumption: That a solipsist would still react “normally” (i.e., with indignation) to physical pain. This creates the absurdity. The implication that the existence of the “puncher” is a legitimate concept in the solipsist’s world runs counter to solipsistic philosophy.
Enrichment & New Humor:
Let’s use the concept of solipsism to explore the absurd:
New Joke/Observation:
My therapist told me I’m a solipsist. I told her, “That’s ridiculous! Why would I invent you?”
Followed by a beat and the thought of my therapist saying “Why would I invent you?!”
Rationale:
- This expands on the core theme of “whose reality is real?”
- It highlights the inherent self-centeredness implied in the accusation of solipsism.
- The reversal at the end adds another layer of solipsistic irony.
- It plays on the trope of therapy as a navel-gazing exercise.
Interesting Tidbit & Related Humor:
Tidbit: While most people associate solipsism with philosophy, it’s interesting to note that the term itself wasn’t widely used until the 19th century, largely due to its popularization by thinkers like Fichte. Before that, similar ideas existed but lacked a specific label.
Related Humor:
“I tried to explain solipsism to my dog, but he just kept chasing his tail. I guess in his world, that is a profound philosophical statement…or at least a tasty one.”
Explanation:
This adds a layer of absurdity by contrasting a complex philosophical concept with the simple (assumed) reality of a dog. It pokes fun at both the perceived pretentiousness of philosophy and the potentially limited scope of non-human consciousness, while still touching on the idea of individual reality.
Did you know?
Did you know some interpret the simulation hypothesis – the idea that our reality is a computer simulation – as a modern form of solipsism? The difference being that instead of just your mind, it’s someone else’s computer rendering your “world.” So next time you stub your toe, blame the programmers.
This “Did you know?” bridges a classical philosophical idea to a contemporary one, again enriching understanding and adding humor to the concept of solipsism by way of redirection.