George Berkeley (1685-1753) was an Anglo-Irish bishop and an empiricist and idealist philosopher. He infamously claimed that no matter exists outside of God and that things only exist outside of our minds and perceptions because God perceives them. This extreme position, although not total scepticism, has drawn much criticism from other philosophers ever since. Berkeley's work continues to be studied for his cutting insights into the nature of philosophical enquiry and his insistence that philosophers not dream up world views that contradict common sense.
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Definition
Timeline
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1685 - 1753Life of the philosopher George Berkeley.
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12 Mar 1685The philosopher George Berkeley is born in County Kilkenny, Ireland.
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1704George Berkeley graduates from Trinity College, Dublin.
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1709George Berkeley is ordained into the Anglican Church.
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1709George Berkeley publishes An Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision.
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1710George Berkeley publishes A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.
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1713George Berkeley publishes Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous.
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1721George Berkeley publishes De motu.
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1724George Berkeley is appointed the Dean of Derry.
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1728 - 1731The philosopher George Berkeley lives in Rhode Island.
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1732George Berkeley publishes Alciphron.
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1734George Berkeley is appointed the Bishop of Cloyne in southern Ireland.
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1734George Berkeley publishes The Analyst.
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14 Jan 1753The philosopher George Berkeley dies in Oxford.
