Author
George Berkeley
1685-1753
George Berkeley (1685-1753) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by George Berkeley
The Works of George Berkeley. Vol. 1 of 4: Philosophical Works, 1705-21
"The Works of George Berkeley. Vol. 1 of 4: Philosophical Works, 1705-21" by Berkeley is a collection of philosophical texts written in the early 18th century. This volume focuses on Berkeley's early thought and the foundational arguments of his metaphysical theories, incorporating several key works related to vision, knowledge, and God’s existence. The collection is presented with editorial annotations and a biography by Alexander Campbell Fraser, enriching the understanding of Berkeley's work. The opening of this volume introduces the significance of Berkeley's philosophical contributions. It details his early life, education, and the evolving nature of his ideas as he began to question prevailing philosophical doctrines. The text outlines Berkeley's development as a thinker against the backdrop of new philosophical currents in Trinity College, Dublin, where he encountered various influential philosophies. Through his writings, Berkeley aims to challenge materialistic perspectives and argue for a world understood through the lens of perception and divine providence, setting the stage for his later, more developed arguments on idealism and the nature of reality.
Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous in Opposition to Sceptics and Atheists
"Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous in Opposition to Sceptics and Atheists" by George Berkeley is a philosophical work written in 1713. Through a dialogue between two characters, Berkeley challenges the existence of material substance itself. Philonous, representing Berkeley's views, systematically argues that what we call matter is merely a collection of perceptions dependent on the mind. He dismantles his opponent Hylas's belief in material objects by showing that all sensible qualities—color, sound, shape—exist only through perception. The work presents Berkeley's radical idealism: reality consists of ideas, not material forms.
A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge
"A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge" by George Berkeley is a philosophical work published in 1710. Berkeley challenges John Locke's theories about perception and reality, arguing that the external world consists entirely of ideas rather than material objects. He proposes that existence means being perceived, and that "ideas can only resemble ideas." Through this reasoning, Berkeley rejects the notion of unthinking matter and concludes that a divine force—God—gives the world of ideas its order and regularity.
An Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision
"An Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision" by George Berkeley is a philosophical treatise written during the early 18th century. The work delves into the concepts of perception, specifically addressing how we perceive distance, magnitude, and the situation of objects through sight. Berkeley challenges existing theories on vision, particularly those that assert we perceive these aspects through mathematical angles and geometrical lines, instead proposing that our perceptions are rooted in experience and the ideas we associate with them. At the start of the essay, Berkeley outlines his intention to investigate how we perceive distance and magnitude, asserting that distance itself is not directly visible but rather inferred through experiential judgment. He discusses the relationship between our sensory perceptions—particularly how the sensations related to the positions of our eyes and the ensuing visual confusion contribute to our judgments on the size and distance of objects. By drawing on allegorical examples, such as the perspective of someone born blind, Berkeley illustrates that our understanding of objects' placement and identity is fundamentally experiential and not inherent in the act of seeing itself; rather, it is shaped by our interactions with tangible reality over time.
The Querist Containing Several Queries Proposed to the Consideration of the Public
"The Querist" by George Berkeley is a philosophical treatise written in the early 18th century. This work is structured around a series of thought-provoking queries aimed at addressing the socio-economic situation of Ireland and the nature of wealth and industry. Berkeley articulates critical questions that explore whether idleness can coexist with wealth, the essence of poverty in a well-fed society, and the role of government in promoting industry among its citizens. At the start of "The Querist," Berkeley poses a multitude of queries that challenge conventional notions of wealth, labor, and societal prosperity. He questions the relationship between industry, poverty, and the distribution of resources, emphasizing the importance of sound governance in fostering a productive populace. Through these carefully constructed questions, he invites readers to reflect on the moral and practical implications of various customs and economic practices, such as luxury spending and the nature of money itself, effectively setting the stage for a philosophical exploration of economic theory and its application in 18th-century Ireland.
A Proposal for the Better Supplying of Churches in Our Foreign Plantations, and for Converting the Savage Americans to Christianity, By a College to Be Erected in the Summer Islands, Otherwise Called the Isles of Bermuda
"A Proposal for the Better Supplying of Churches in Our Foreign Plantations, and..." by an unidentified author is a religious proposal written in the early 18th century. This publication advocates for establishing a college in Bermuda with the aim of supplying the English colonies and their missions with well-educated clergy and missionaries. The book addresses the urgent need for religious instruction to improve moral conditions among settlers and to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. The main content of the proposal focuses on the perceived lack of proper clergy in the English colonies, resulting in moral decay and insufficient outreach to the native populations. The author suggests that creating a seminary on the islands would not only train local youth for the ministry but also facilitate the education of Indigenous children, making them more effective at spreading the gospel among their communities. The proposal highlights various considerations regarding the location and structure of such an institution, arguing that Bermuda's unique position and resources make it the ideal site. Ultimately, the aim is to foster a greater religious presence and moral improvement within the colonies through a sustainable educational initiative.