Essay Questions

Why do Berkley's conceptions stridently differ from John Locke's assumptions concerning objects?

Both Berkeley and Locke are philosophers, but they have opposing views regarding how objects are perceived. According to Locke, the matter is an unconscious state, and all things are made of matter. Locke's assumption regarding items is sharply opposed by Berkley, who argues that it is hard to perceive senseless things. Therefore, all things cannot be made of matter because they are not perceivable. Berkley concludes that all things are made out of ideas but not matter.

Do properties of matter exist in reality, according to the author?

The author is categorical when it comes to the properties of matter. The assumption that all things are made of matter is only relevant to what an individual perceives. Berkley argues that matter does not exist in reality because perceivers have different opinions of what they see. For instance, a young child can see marble and perceive that it is enormous and heavy. On the other hand, an adult can see a similar marble and perceive it as small and light. Therefore, matter is not universal and does not exist in reality because it depends on an individual's perception.

Does Berkley’s treatise satirically prove the existence of a Supernatural Being?

According to Barkley, anything else that cannot be perceived by man exists naturally, and its presence is only apparent by a natural power. Berkley's treatise lays a foundation that proves that God exists because he is the only one who can perceive what is perceptible by man. Berkley also attempts to disapprove of fellow philosophers who argue that all things are made of matter. For instance, Barkley explains that all things cannot be made from a senseless state.