The Idealism of George Berkeley 1685 1753 The

The Idealism of George Berkeley (1685 -1753)

The Problem with Materialism • We can not trust our senses. We have no guarantee that the information we receive is true. This is known as the veil-of-perception problem.

The Solution • Our perceptions are just a collection of ideas. • There is unreliability in explaining the existence of your own ideas.

Berkeley’s Idealism • Material objects do not exist. • In order to exist, something must be perceived since ideas can not exist on their own. • The world continues to exist since all things are constantly perceived by God.

The Master Argument • Objects unperceived must not exist since our minds can not imagine an object that continues to exist while unperceived.

Issues • Distinguishing illusion form reality: Berkeley states our ideas of real objects are placed by god and follow consistent rules. But • If we have a dream that we can not control and is consistent with the real world then how can it be an illusion?

Bibliography • Chan, T. (2007, November). Berkeley’s Master Argument in Two Dimensions. September 28, 2014. Retrieved from http: //www. uea. ac. uk/polopoly_fs/1. 71 973!berkeley%20 tc. pdf • Downing, L. (2011, January 19). George Berkeley. September 28, 2014. Retrieved from http: //plato. stanford. edu/entries/berkeley/ • Law, S. (2012, November 24). Berkeley’s Idealism (explained simply). September 28, 2014. Retrieved from http: //www. skepticink. com/ believingbullshit/2012/11/24/berkeleys-idealism-explained-simply/ • Stickney, J. , Anderson, S. L. , Jopling, D. A. , Martyr-Andre, J. , Oja, L. , Quejada, E. , & Wilson, A. H. (2011). Philosophy: Thinkers, theories & questions. Toronto: Mc. Graw-Hill Ryerson.