George Berkeley Quotes

A collection of quotes by George Berkeley.

George Berkeley (1685-1753) was an Irish philosopher, theologian, and Bishop of Cloyne. He is best known for his philosophical stance known as idealism, which argues that reality consists solely of ideas and the mind. Born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Berkeley received his education at Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied various subjects including philosophy, mathematics, and classics.

Berkeley is considered one of the prominent figures of the Age of Enlightenment. In his influential work, "A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge" (1710), he posited that physical objects have no independent existence outside of the mind's perception. He famously claimed that "to be is to be perceived." This theory, later termed immaterialism or subjective idealism, suggested that the perceived world is a construct of individual minds and that everything exists only in our perceptions.

Berkeley's ideas challenged the prevailing views of his time, particularly the materialistic philosophy of John Locke. His writings had a profound impact on subsequent philosophical thought, inspiring both criticism and significant developments in philosophy, such as Immanuel Kant's transcendental idealism.

Throughout his life, Berkeley held various religious and academic positions, including a stint as Dean of Derry and later Bishop of Cloyne. He also advocated for charitable causes and sought to establish a college in Bermuda with the purpose of training missionaries. Berkeley remains an influential figure in philosophical discourse, continuing to provoke debate and exploration into the nature of perception and reality.