Philosophy
Intro to Philosophy
April 26, 2012
Final Paper
Bishop George Berkeley
“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” Although this famous quote is not the exact wording used by the philosopher Bishop George Berkeley, he was the inspiration behind this idea along with many others. Throughout his life, Berkeley developed theories that laid the foundation for the study of modern philosophy. His life experiences and travels assisted him in becoming the esteemed philosopher that he is regarded as today. Bishop George Berkeley was born near Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland to a noble family. After graduating from Kilkenny College, he attended Trinity College in Dublin where he completed his master’s degree in tutoring and Greek lecturing. After he completed his education, he wrote many essays on his own philosophical theories. In 1709 Berkeley’s “Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision” was published. In the essay, he examines visual distance, magnitude, position, and problems of sight and touch. At the time the theory raised much controversy, however it is now established as an accepted part of the theory of optics. Berkeley’s “Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge,” was then published in 1710. This specific theory is what gave him a lasting reputation; though few accepted it. Finally in 1713, Berkeley’s “Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous” was published. This work advocated his system of philosophy where the leading principle is that the world, as represented by our senses, depends for its existence on being perceived. His last two publications were “Siris: Philosophical reflections and inquiries concerning the virtues of tar-water, and divers other subjects connected together and arising from one another” in 1744, then “Further Thoughts on Tar-water,” in 1752. Pine tar was known to be an effective antiseptic and disinfectant when applied to cuts on the skin, yet Berkeley argued that
April 26, 2012
Final Paper
Bishop George Berkeley
“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” Although this famous quote is not the exact wording used by the philosopher Bishop George Berkeley, he was the inspiration behind this idea along with many others. Throughout his life, Berkeley developed theories that laid the foundation for the study of modern philosophy. His life experiences and travels assisted him in becoming the esteemed philosopher that he is regarded as today. Bishop George Berkeley was born near Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland to a noble family. After graduating from Kilkenny College, he attended Trinity College in Dublin where he completed his master’s degree in tutoring and Greek lecturing. After he completed his education, he wrote many essays on his own philosophical theories. In 1709 Berkeley’s “Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision” was published. In the essay, he examines visual distance, magnitude, position, and problems of sight and touch. At the time the theory raised much controversy, however it is now established as an accepted part of the theory of optics. Berkeley’s “Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge,” was then published in 1710. This specific theory is what gave him a lasting reputation; though few accepted it. Finally in 1713, Berkeley’s “Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous” was published. This work advocated his system of philosophy where the leading principle is that the world, as represented by our senses, depends for its existence on being perceived. His last two publications were “Siris: Philosophical reflections and inquiries concerning the virtues of tar-water, and divers other subjects connected together and arising from one another” in 1744, then “Further Thoughts on Tar-water,” in 1752. Pine tar was known to be an effective antiseptic and disinfectant when applied to cuts on the skin, yet Berkeley argued that