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Philosophy for busy people. Read a succinct account of the philosophy of Berkeley in just one hour.Berkeley’s philosophy denies the existence of matter. According to his work, there is no material world, only our own experience. So when you don’t see something, it isn’t there. Then how does the world persist? Because it is supported by the continuous perception of an all-seeing God. Berkeley’s ideas appear to take empiricism to a ludicrous extreme. But is this quite so absurd as it seems? We are frequently forced to abandon common sense and the obvious in order to progress beyond the immediate muddle of everyday existence towards what we consider to be the truths of science.Here is a concise, expert account of Berkeley’s life and philosophical ideas – entertainingly written and easy to understand. Also included are selections from Berkeley’s work, suggested further reading, and chronologies that place Berkeley in the context of the broader scheme of philosophy.
This book investigates the core question of whether George Berkeley’s radical immaterialism—the denial of a material world—is a logical extension of empiricism or a departure from common sense. Paul Strathern, an experienced writer on the history of ideas, utilizes a biographical and analytical framework to distill Berkeley’s complex metaphysical arguments into an accessible format. By situating Berkeley within the broader intellectual climate of his time, the text examines how his reliance on divine perception serves as a solution to the problem of persistent reality.
What You Will Find
The text provides a highly accessible entry point for readers seeking a rapid synthesis of Berkeley’s life and primary philosophical contributions. Its brevity and focus on core concepts make it a suitable primer for those navigating the history of Western philosophy without prior academic training.
Page Count:
94
Publication Date:
2012-07-05
Publisher:
HarperCollins UK
ISBN-10:
0007466250
ISBN-13:
9780007466252
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