George Berkeley

Known for

Subjective idealism, "esse est percipi"

Thought

Berkeley pushed empiricism to a radical conclusion: since we only ever experience ideas and sensations, not objects themselves, matter as an independent substance is an unnecessary and incoherent assumption. His formula "esse est percipi" (to be is to be perceived) holds that things exist only as they are perceived — ultimately by the constant mind of God, which is why the world doesn't vanish when no human is looking.

Biography

Irish philosopher and Anglican bishop who spent time in America attempting, unsuccessfully, to found a college in Bermuda.

CSS Philosophy paper topics

Major works

• A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge