So much for making assumptions about the consciousness of others! Claiming that something is "purely philosophical" is a common way to dismiss both philosophy and an issue. Perhaps you are ignorant of this, despite equating philosophy and the issue with "no material difference". Perhaps you projected your own anger on me.
It may be, but that is not what I am doing. I'm sorry you feel my purpose is to dismiss. It is not. I'm not sure what your stance is. The issue of whether anyone else is conscious but me may have philosophical implications, but as far as getting on in the world, the doubt is generally a hindrance. One must assume one is not unique, or one will spend one's life unable to draw conclusions.
True, however: How can one rationally, deliberately, arrive at the conclusion that people are generally alike, alike especially in some psychological sense, and that one is not unique?
