The Subjective Idealism of George Berkeley

In this Meetup, we will take a look at the Subjective Idealism of George Berkeley, and compare it to the Idealism of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science. Berkeley is famous for the phrase: "esse is percipi," a mostly Latin phrase that means: "To be is to be perceived."

His argument: Premise One: Ideas exist only in the mind.
Premise Two: All things are ideas.
Therefore, all things exist only in minds.

One question we can address is: Why was Berkeley not a solipsist? (Solipsism—the belief in one reality, the solipsist himself, upon whose thought and perceptions all other things depend for their existence.)

Appropriate Limerick:

"There once was a man who said 'God
Must think it exceedingly odd
If he finds that this tree
Continues to be
When there's no one about in the Quad.'

"Dear Sir,
Your astonishment's odd.
I am always about in the Quad.
And that's why the tree
Will continue to be
Since observed by
Yours faithfully,
God"

If you'd like to present something related to this topic, let me know. Snacks and coffee/water provided. We will meet at the Newport Public Library this time. President's room. You can ask for directions to the room at the front desk.