A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge

In his "Principles of Human Knowledge" Berkeley makes the striking claim that physical things consist of nothing but ideas, and so do not exist outside the mind. This establishes Berkeley as the founder of the idealist tradition in philosophy. Berkeley argues vigorously that once we correct our understanding of the physical, we can find a new proof of the existence of God, refute sceptical attacks on human knowledge, and resolve many difficulties and paradoxes raised by the advance of science. The text printed in this volume is the 1734 edition of the "Principles" which is generally agreed to represent Berkeley's mature thought. Also included are the four important letters between George Berkeley and Samuel Johnson, written in 1729-30. The text is supplemented by a comprehensive introduction which looks at the structure and main arguments of the text, as well as discussing Berkeley's life, influences, and general philosophy. In addition the volume includes an analysis of the text, a glossary, detailed notes, and a full bibliography with guidance on further reading. This new edition of Berkeley's most famous work, published alongside his other text, the "Three Dialogues" provides the student with a thorough introduction to his central ideas. The "Oxford Philosophical Texts" series consists of teaching editions of canonical texts in the history of philosophy from the ancient world down to modern times. Each volume provides a clear text together with a comprehensive introduction by a leading specialist, which should give the student detailed critical guidance on the intellectual context of the work and the structure and philosophical importance of the main arguments. Endnotes are supplied to expand further on the arguments and explain unfamiliar references and terminology, and a full bibliography and index are also included. The series aims to build up a definitive corpus of key texts in the Western philosophical tradition, which should form a reliable and enduring resource for students and teachers alike.

Table of Contents:
Part 1: Introductory Material. How to Use this Book. Editor's Introduction. 1: Preamble. 2: Berkeley's Life. 3: The Target (or, What Berkeley didn't Believe). 4: Berkeley's Metaphysical Picture. 5: What Happens in the Principles?. 6: The Arguments of Principles 1-24. 7: Berkeley's Attack on the Doctrine of Abstract Ideas. 8: Abstract Ideas in the Principles. 9: The Existence of God. 10: Physical Reality. 11: Scepticism. 12: Berkeley and the Progress of Science. 13: The Nature of Spirits. 14: Berkeley's Intellectual Antecedents. 15: The Berkeley-Johnson Correspondence. The Text Printed in this Edition; Bibliography and Further Reading; Analysis of the Principles. Part 2: The Texts. A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge. Preface. Introduction. On the Principles of Human Knowledge Part I. The Berkeley-Johnson Correspondence. Johnson to Berkeley, 10 September 1729. Berkeley to Johnson, 25 November 1729. Johnson to Berkeley , 5 February 1730. Berkeley to Johnson , 24 March 1730. Part 3: Glossary, Notes, and Index. Glossary. Notes to the Principles. Notes to the Berkeley-Johnson Correspondence. Index