Principles of Human Knowledge and Three Dialogues (Paperback)

George Berkeley

ISBN 10: 0140432930 / ISBN 13: 9780140432930

Published by Penguin Books Ltd, London, 1988

About this Item

Paperback. Fascinating and influential, these works formed the foundation of the empirical movement that led directly to the thought of John Stuart Mill, and the later Linguistic Phenomenalism of A. J. AyerOne of the greatest British philosophers, Bishop Berkeley (1685-1753) was the founder of the influential doctrine of Immaterialism - the belief that there is no reality outside the mind, and that the existence of material objects depends upon their being perceived. The Principles of Human Knowledge eloquently outlines this philosophical concept, and argues forcefully that the world consists purely of finite minds and ideas, and of an infinite spirit, God. A denial of all non-spiritual reality, Berkeley's theory was at first heavily criticized by his contemporaries, who feared its ideas would lead to scepticism and atheism. The Three Dialogues provide a powerful response to these fears. One of the greatest British philosophers, Bishop Berkeley (1685 1753) was the founder of the influential doctrine of Immaterialism the belief that there is no reality outside the mind, and that the existence of material objects depends upon their being perceived. The Principles of Human Knowledge eloquently outlines this philosophical concept, and argues forcefully that the world consists purely of finite minds and ideas, and of an infinite spirit, God. A denial of all non-spiritual reality, Berkeley's theory was at first heavily criticized by his contemporaries, who feared its ideas would lead to scepticism and atheism. The Three Dialogues provide a powerful response to these fears. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780140432930

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Principles of Human Knowledge and Three Dialogues (Paperback)
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd, London
• Publication Date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140432930
• ISBN 13: 9780140432930
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Whether viewed as extreme skepticism or enlightened common sense, the writings of Berkeley are a major influence on modern philosophy. Bishop Berkeley (1685-1753) was one of the great British empirical philosophers. He believed that the existence of material objects depends on their being perceived and The Principles of Human Knowledge sets out this denial of non-mental material reality. At first his views were unfavorably received by the London intelligentsia, and the entertaining Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous are a clarification of the Realist argument and a response to accusations of atheism and skepticism. In the nineteenth century John Stuart Mill wrote that he considered Berkeley's work to be of "greatest philosophic genius," and it is true to say that its Immaterialism has influenced many recent philosophers.

About the Author

George Berkeley (1685–1753) was an Irish philosopher best known for the advancement of a theory he called "immaterialism." He wrote A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge in 1710.

Roger Woolhouse was educated at Dent’s School, Saltburn, and University College London. He has taught at University College Cardiff, the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University, and is presently professor of philosophy at the University of York and visiting professor at Rutgers University. He is the author of Locke’s Philosophy of Science and Knowledge, Locke, The Empiricists, and Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz. He has also edited Goerge Berkeley’s Principles of Human Knowledge and Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous for Penguin Classics.