Common Sky

A Common Sky: Philosophy and the Literary Imagination explores the unsettling yet compelling fear of solipsism—the idea that the external world may not exist beyond the confines of individual perception. While solipsism as a formal belief is often dismissed as absurd or comedic, the book delves into its profound psychological and philosophical implications. The author examines how this fear has subtly influenced thought since the 18th century, challenging both philosophers and writers to grapple with its unnerving possibilities. In philosophy, solipsism sparks intricate debates, while in literature, it manifests as a shift in natural intuition, embedding feelings of unreality into the works of poets and novelists alike.

Tracing the echoes of solipsistic unease across philosophy and literature, the book reveals a fascinating interplay between skepticism and imagination. From the analytical rigor of Hume and Bradley to the evocative verse of Wordsworth and Eliot, A Common Sky illustrates how the fear of isolation from a shared reality has shaped modern thought and art. By uncovering these connections, the author offers a nuanced perspective on the rise of solipsism in the human psyche and its profound impact on cultural expression. This work invites readers to confront the paradoxes of perception, belief, and existence, ultimately challenging them to reconsider the boundaries of their own realities.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.