The Inconceivability Argument - 1247 Words

Topic #1 – The Inconceivability Argument Berkeley’s main objective in the inconceivability argument is to show that material substances cannot exist without the mind and are therefore mind-dependent. If an object is considered to be mind-dependent, then the object does not actually exist in the world but instead it exists in the mind as an idea. Berkeley is an anti-materialist, which means that he believes the only things that exist are minds and what is in them. Matter is not an exception to this belief, so Berkeley believes that it is just an idea. In his work Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous Berkeley is arguing against materialism, which views material substance to exist independently outside of the mind. Many philosophers,†¦show more content†¦When trying to think of an object that you have not yet conceived or perceived (Even though it was not necessarily the case earlier in the dialogues, perception and conception can now be explained as interc hangeable terms), you form a concept of an object that is really a combination of ideas about similar objects that you have previously perceived. Since the basis for this ‘unconceived’ object is previous perceptions, it is its nature to be perceived. It is therefore impossible to form an idea about an unconceived object, because the idea is constructed of already perceived ideas. This provides a solid basis for premise three, which states that anything you think of, you conceive, because according to the previous explanation of knowledge, any idea or thought that is not inferred from a new immediate perception is from previous conceptions and those ideas or thoughts that are formed from new immediate perceptions are actively conceived. It is logical to determine that what is conceived is in the mind, because with out the mind there would be no conception. Since there cannot be conception with out the mind, it proves that conception is mind-dependent. The final premise that wraps up Berkeley’s argument for matter being mind-dependent is that anything that is conceived is mind-dependent. Berkeley arrives at this conclusion because when you conceive something, it is in the mind, and what is in the mind is not independent of the mind, and soShow MoreRelatedAn Inquiry Into Human Enquiry1228 Words   |  5 Pagesdemonstratively certain† (Hume 19). We cannot envision the reverse of these relations of ideas. For example, we cannot picture a circular square because that goes against the very definition of a square. A key feature of a contradiction is its inconceivability, so our inability to conjure a contradiction to a relation of ideas serves as a reason to believe Hume’s view. I will now inspect the second group, matters of fact. Matters of fact concern what is the case, and one can imagine the oppositeRead More Cartesian Dualism and the Union of Mind and Body Essay3103 Words   |  13 Pagesfurther explanations. Anyway, these are not necessary, because what follows in his argument is that, despite this union, there is no obstacle to affirm that ... I have a clear and distinct idea of myself, in so far as I am simply a thinking, non-extended thing; and on the other hand I have a distinct idea of body, in so far as this is simply an extended, non-thinking thing. Then, he finally concludes the argument saying that it is certain that I am really distinct from my body, and can exist without