George Berkeley
Anglo-Irish philosopher and bishop (1685 to 1753); author of A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.
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What they believe
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Most if not all of philosophy's difficulties are probably of philosophers' own making
Upon the whole, I am inclined to think that the far greater part, if not all, of those difficulties which have hitherto amused philosophers, and blocked up the way to knowledge, are entirely owing to ourselves--that we have first raised a dust and then complain we cannot see.
gutenberg.orgSaid c. 1710–1734This on korrents
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Most if not all of philosophy's difficulties are probably of philosophers' own making
Upon the whole, I am inclined to think that the far greater part, if not all, of those difficulties which have hitherto amused philosophers, and blocked up the way to knowledge, are entirely owing to ourselves--that we have first raised a dust and then complain we cannot see.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
Abstract general ideas, like motion that is neither fast nor slow, cannot be conceived
I cannot by any effort of thought conceive the abstract idea above described. And it is equally impossible for me to form the abstract idea of motion distinct from the body moving, and which is neither swift nor slow, curvilinear nor rectilinear; and the like may be said of all other abstract general ideas whatsoever.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
Knowledge is within reach once we look past words, not through learned research
In vain do we extend our view into the heavens and pry into the entrails of the earth, in vain do we consult the writings of learned men and trace the dark footsteps of antiquity--we need only draw the curtain of words, to hold the fairest tree of knowledge, whose fruit is excellent, and within the reach of our hand.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
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For unthinking things, to exist is to be perceived; they cannot exist outside minds
For as to what is said of the absolute existence of unthinking things without any relation to their being perceived, that seems perfectly unintelligible. Their ESSE is PERCIPI, nor is it possible they should have any existence out of the minds or thinking things which perceive them.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
The things we see and feel cannot be separated, even in thought, from being perceived
Light and colours, heat and cold, extension and figures--in a word the things we see and feel--what are they but so many sensations, notions, ideas, or impressions on the sense? and is it possible to separate, even in thought, any of these from perception? For my part, I might as easily divide a thing from itself.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
An idea can resemble nothing but another idea
I ANSWER, an idea can be like nothing but an idea; a colour or figure can be like nothing but another colour or figure.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
The very notion of matter or corporeal substance is self-contradictory
Hence, it is plain that the very notion of what is called MATTER or CORPOREAL SUBSTANCE, involves a contradiction in it.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
Primary qualities like extension and motion exist only in the mind, as secondary ones do
In short, extension, figure, and motion, abstracted from all other qualities, are inconceivable. Where therefore the other sensible qualities are, there must these be also, to wit, in the mind and nowhere else.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
External bodies are not needed to explain how we come to have our ideas
Hence, it is evident the supposition of external bodies is not necessary for the producing our ideas; since it is granted they are produced sometimes, and might possibly be produced always in the same order, we see them in at present, without their concurrence.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
A spirit cannot itself be perceived, only known through the effects it produces
Such is the nature of SPIRIT, or that which acts, that it cannot be of itself perceived, BUT ONLY BY THE EFFECTS WHICH IT PRODUCETH.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
Talk of unthinking agents producing ideas without a will is empty words
Thus much is certain and grounded on experience; but when we think of unthinking agents or of exciting ideas exclusive of volition, we only amuse ourselves with words.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
Since our sense perceptions are not willed by us, some other will or spirit produces them
When in broad daylight I open my eyes, it is not in my power to choose whether I shall see or no, or to determine what particular objects shall present themselves to my view; and so likewise as to the hearing and other senses; the ideas imprinted on them are not creatures of my will. There is THEREFORE SOME OTHER WILL OR SPIRIT that PRODUCES THEM.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
The laws of nature are the regular ways the mind we depend on produces our sensations
Now THE SET RULES OR ESTABLISHED METHODS WHEREIN THE MIND WE DEPEND ON EXCITES IN US THE IDEAS OF SENSE, ARE CALLED THE LAWS OF NATURE; and these we learn by experience, which teaches us that such and such ideas are attended with such and such other ideas, in the ordinary course of things.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
Denying matter does not deny the real existence of the things we see and touch
I do not argue against the existence of any one thing that we can apprehend either by sense or reflexion. That the things I see with my eyes and touch with my hands do exist, really exist, I make not the least question.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
Belief that real things exist outside the mind is the root of scepticism
This, which, if I mistake not, has been shown to be a most groundless and absurd notion, is the very root of Scepticism; for, so long as men thought that real things subsisted without the mind, and that their knowledge was only so far forth real as it was conformable to real things, it follows they could not be certain they had any real knowledge at all.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
The doctrine of matter has been the foundation of atheism and irreligion
For, as we have shown the doctrine of Matter or corporeal substance to have been the main pillar and support of Scepticism, so likewise upon the same foundation have been raised all the impious schemes of Atheism and Irreligion.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
Treating virtues as abstract general notions seems to have made morality harder and less useful
The opinion that those and the like words stand for general notions, abstracted from all particular persons and actions, seems to have rendered morality very difficult, and the study thereof of small use to mankind.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
God's existence is more evident than the existence of other people
We may even assert that the existence of God is far more evidently perceived than the existence of men; because the effects of nature are infinitely more numerous and considerable than those ascribed to human agents.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Said c. 1710–1734
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