In 1707-1708, the young George Berkeley wrote the Book of Common Places, consisting of 2 parts: A and B. The central idea of the work was Berkeley’s unique philosophical outlook, specifically the principle of “esse est percipi”: to exist is to be perceived. After presenting this idea to the public, the straightforward and seemingly clear concept of empiricism was on the verge of common sense. Even nowadays, Berkeley’s philosophy may seem like nonsense, but it poses profound and deep matters regarding people’s consciousness and perception (Wolf, 2019). These concerns find a response even in modern natural science.
The Bond between Perception and Sensation
Based on the fact that a person directly perceives only his ideas (images, sensations), Berkeley concluded that the external world cannot exist independently of the perception and thinking of a person. The being of things lies in their perceptibility and sense. To speak of the existence of an object is to assert that this object can be perceived. The philosopher identified the external entities and the perceived sensations of these possessions (Wolf, 2019). He considered all things as integral complexes of personal sensations which are hard to separate.
The Denial of the Abstract Matter
Berkeley began his philosophy with an unquestioning rejection of the abstract concepts of reality. In his opinion, there are only concrete sensations, not abstract ideas. When people think of something general, such as a tree or a triangle, they are thinking of something straightforward: a particular instance of a tree or a size of a triangle. They cannot present general concepts except in specific images or symbols. Without dwelling on the denial of matter, George Berkeley also denied the existence of general ideas of extension, size, shape, position, and space itself. The philosopher emphasizes the importance of descriptions and words that carry a certain meaning and mental function (Wolf, 2019). These concepts are purely personal, and people can see completely different pictures of ongoing circumstances.
Divine Presence in the Theory
Despite the obvious scientific and philosophical overtones of perspective, Berkeley explained much of the theory in accordance with his religious beliefs. If a thing ceases to be collected in the mind of one person, it continues to exist from the point of view of another person. In case a thing or phenomenon is not perceived by any of the people, it continues to exist in the Divine consciousness. According to the teachings of Berkeley, only the spirit lives in reality. The rest of the entire material world is a delusion of the senses. The involuntary character of this deception is rooted in the original concepts given by theology (Wolf, 2019). This spiritualism has served as the occasion for massive misunderstandings and has stirred both philosophers and theologians against Berkeley.
Conclusion
In Berkeley’s philosophy, there are many paradoxical statements and one-sided concepts. The provability denial of the spatial and material existence of things, as well as the apparent causality, seems like a contradiction. Nevertheless, Berkeley’s philosophy served as the most significant transitional moment to Hume’s doctrine of the subjective-psychological foundations, Kant’s doctrine of the subjective forms of perception and thinking, and Schopenhauer’s doctrine (Wolf, 2019). Therefore, Berkeley’s philosophy should be recognized as one of the largest systems of our time. The thorough versatility of views and profound creativity make George Berkeley the forerunner of an entirely new round of philosophy.
Work Cited
Wolf, Yaron. “Berkeley’s Three Dialogues: New Essays, British Journal for the History of Philosophy.” British Journal for the History of Philosophy, 2019, Web.