The word for today is…

solipsism (noun)-

: a theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing
: extreme egocentrism

Source : Merriam -Webster

Etymology : Fans of René Descartes credit the French philosopher with introducing solipsism as a major problem of modern philosophy, but the word solipsism most likely sprang from a French satire written by Giulio Clemente Scotti in 1652 called La Monarchie des Solipses. The term wasn’t used in English until the late 19th century, when solipsism, a composite of the Latin solus (“alone”) and ipse (“self”), was applied purely in the philosophical sense. Recently the word has taken on another, more general sense, suggesting an ego-driven selfishness or self-indulgence.

If you enjoyed this BFD word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.

David is a retired surgeon originally from London who came to New Zealand twenty-seven years ago after being delayed in Singapore for thirteen years on leaving the UK. He was coerced into studying Latin...