Berkeley: Philosophical Writings
“Berkeley: Philosophical Writings” by Desmond M. Clarke, published by Cambridge University Press on January 22, 2009, offers a comprehensive exploration of the philosophical contributions of George Berkeley, a prominent figure in the 18th century. This edition spans 386 pages and presents a collection of Berkeley’s key works, aimed at addressing objections to religious belief that emerged during the Scientific Revolution. Clarke’s introduction contextualizes Berkeley’s ideas, providing readers with insights into his arguments against skepticism and atheism, as well as his theories on meaning and immaterialism.
Readers will find a detailed examination of Berkeley’s radical empiricism and scientific instrumentalism, which challenge the prevailing scientific interpretations of phenomena. The book includes significant texts such as the “Principles,” “Three Dialogues,” “Essay on Motion,” and “Alciphron,” showcasing Berkeley’s philosophical evolution and his engagement with topics related to philosophy, religion, and history. This edition serves as a valuable resource for those interested in the intersections of philosophy and religious thought, reflecting Berkeley’s enduring influence in contemporary discussions.
Official synopsis Publisher
George Berkeley (1685-1753) was a university teacher, a missionary, and later a Church of Ireland bishop. The over-riding objective of his long philosophical career was to counteract objections to religious belief that resulted from new philosophies associated with the Scientific Revolution. Accordingly, he argued against scepticism and atheism in the Principles and the Three Dialogues; he rejected theories of force in the Essay on Motion; he offered a new theory of meaning for religious language in Alciphron; and he modified his earlier immaterialism in Siris by speculating about the body’s influence on the soul. His radical empiricism and scientific instrumentalism, which rejected the claims of the sciences to provide a realistic interpretation of phenomena, are still influential today. This edition provides texts from the full range of Berkeley’s contributions to philosophy, together with an introduction by Desmond M. Clarke that sets them in their historical and philosophical contexts.
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