PHL105Y5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Diodorus Cronus, Hylas, If And Only If
Document Summary
Much of berkeley"s argument against matter is directed against represenational realism, i. e. , against the view that we directly perceive ideas but these ideas are caused by external physical substances. But he also argues against the view that we directly perceive material objects themselves. Here is the relevant passage from the three dialogues: If you can conceive it to be possible for any mixture or combination of qualities, or any sensible object whatever, to exist outside the mind, then i will grant it actually to be so. Hyl: by that test, the point will soon be decided. I conceive them existing in that way right now. Phil: the tree or house therefore which you think of is conceived by you. Phil: and what is conceived is surely in the mind. Hyl: without question, what is conceived is in the mind. Hyl: that was an oversight, i admit; . (bennett, p. 21).
