Berkley, George - an idealist and phenominalist

idealist- only the mental exist
phenominalist- when we talk about things, we mean what the collection of qualities


Modern Phenominalist:

Junk idealism, and God, but hold onto Berkley’s idea of the theory of meaning

When we talk about things we are talking about the quality of those things.
“Things are permanent possibilities of sensation”
For Example: When we talk about say the word “water” we are talking about qualities that
affect sensory perception, i.e. colorless liquid which quenches thirst. We are not talking about
chemical properties, i.e. h2o. In other words, we use common language and ascribe common meaning.



The Metaphysical Theory

The metaphysical theory of matter is something additional or even contrary to common sense.


Touch and Sight

The phenominalist states the sense of touch does not yield as many false predictions of future sensation.


Three Arguments against Phenominalism

Reality distinction
Permanence of characteristics
Causality


Berkley’s proof of God

“We are aware of another will different form or contrary to our own”