The Works of George Berkeley. Vol. 1 of 4: Philosophical Works, 1705-21 by Berkeley

(8 User reviews)   3485
By Abil Kile Posted on Nov 15, 2025
In Category - Neval
Berkeley, George, 1685-1753 Berkeley, George, 1685-1753
English
Ever wondered if that coffee cup on your desk exists when you're not looking at it? In the early 1700s, a young Irish philosopher named George Berkeley basically said 'no'—and built an entire worldview around that idea. This book collects his first, most radical arguments. Forget dry philosophy; this is a mind-bending trip into a reality where perception is everything, and the physical world might just be a shared idea in the mind of God. It's wild, it's counterintuitive, and it will make you question the very ground beneath your feet.
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that his Works contain a word in season, even for the twentieth century. Among others who have delivered appreciative criticisms of Berkeley within the last thirty years are J.S. Mill, Mansel, Huxley, T.H. Green, Maguire, Collyns Simon, the Right Hon. A.J. Balfour, Mr. Leslie Stephen, Dr. Hutchison Stirling, Professor T.K. Abbott, Professor Van der Wyck, M. Penjon, Ueberweg, Frederichs, Ulrici, Janitsch, Eugen Meyer, Spicker, Loewy, Professor Höffding of Copenhagen, Dr. Lorenz, Noah Porter, and Krauth, besides essays in the chief British, Continental, and American reviews. The text of those Works of Berkeley which were published during his lifetime, enriched with a biographical Introduction by Mr. A.J. Balfour, carefully edited by Mr. George Sampson, appeared in 1897. In 1900 Dr. R. Richter, of the University of Leipsic, produced a new translation into German of the _Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous_, with an excellent Introduction and notes. These estimates form a remarkable contrast to the denunciations, founded on misconception, by Warburton and Beattie in the eighteenth century. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ In 1899 I was unexpectedly again asked by the Delegates of the Oxford University Press to prepare a New Edition of Berkeley’s Works, with some account of his life, as the edition of 1871 was out of print; a circumstance which I had not expected to occur in my lifetime. It seemed presumptuous to undertake what might have been entrusted to some one probably more in touch with living thought; and in one’s eighty-second year, time and strength are wanting for remote research. But the recollection that I was attracted to philosophy largely by Berkeley, in the morning of life more than sixty years ago, combined with the pleasure derived from association in this way with the great University in which he found an academic home in his old age, moved me in the late evening of life to make the attempt. And now, at the beginning of the twentieth century, I offer these volumes, which still imperfectly realise my ideal of a final Oxford edition of the philosopher who spent his last days in Oxford, and whose mortal remains rest in its Cathedral. Since 1871 materials of biographical and philosophical interest have been discovered, in addition to the invaluable collection of MSS. which Archdeacon Rose then placed at my disposal, and which were included in the supplementary volume of _Life and Letters_. Through the kindness of the late Earl of Egmont I had access, some years ago, to a large number of letters which passed between his ancestor, Sir John (afterwards Lord) Percival, and Berkeley, between 1709 and 1730. I have availed myself freely of this correspondence. Some interesting letters from and concerning Berkeley, addressed to his friend Dr. Samuel Johnson of Stratford in Connecticut, afterwards President of King’s College in New York, appeared in 1874, in Dr. Beardsley’s _Life of Johnson_, illustrating Berkeley’s history from 1729 till his death. For these and for further information I am indebted to Dr. Beardsley. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ In the present edition of Berkeley’s Works, the Introductions and the annotations have been mostly re-written. A short account of his romantic life is prefixed, intended to trace its progress in the gradual development and application of his initial Principle; and also the external incidents of his life in their continuity, with the help of the new material in the Percival MSS. and the correspondence with Johnson. It forms a key to the whole. This biography is not intended to supersede the _Life and Letters_ of Berkeley that accompanied the 1871 edition, which remains as a magazine of facts for reference. The rearrangement of the Works is a feature in...

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This isn't a novel, but the 'story' here is the intellectual journey of a brilliant young man taking on the biggest questions of his time. In the early 18th century, science was on the rise with thinkers like Newton and Locke arguing for a world of solid matter and mechanical laws. Berkeley, fresh out of college, throws a massive philosophical wrench into the works. His core idea? That objects only exist because they are perceived. That table, that tree—they aren't made of some mysterious 'stuff' called matter. Their reality is their being seen, touched, or heard. He famously summed it up as 'esse est percipi' (to be is to be perceived). He then builds a whole system where the continuous existence of the world is guaranteed by an all-perceiving mind: God.

Why You Should Read It

You should read this because it's philosophy that feels like a magic trick for your brain. Berkeley's arguments are incredibly clever and surprisingly hard to refute. Reading him is like having a conversation with the smartest, most persistent person you've ever met. He forces you to defend things you take for granted. While his conclusions might seem strange, wrestling with them sharpens your own thinking. It's less about agreeing with him and more about enjoying the sheer audacity of his project. You'll start noticing how much you assume about the world without question.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for curious readers who enjoy big ideas, science fiction fans interested in the roots of 'simulated reality' concepts, and anyone who likes a good intellectual puzzle. It's not light reading, but Berkeley writes with a clear, direct style for his era. If you've ever pondered the nature of reality over a late-night drink with friends, this is the classic text that started one of the most fascinating conversations in Western thought. Approach it like an adventure for your mind.



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Andrew Ramirez
10 months ago

Essential reading for students of this field.

Joseph Allen
1 year ago

If you enjoy this genre, it manages to explain difficult concepts in plain English. I couldn't put it down.

John Lewis
2 months ago

Without a doubt, the flow of the text seems very fluid. Thanks for sharing this review.

4.5
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