Berkeley's critique of abstract ideas

George Berkeley criticized the idea of abstract concepts, arguing that we only understand things through our direct experiences. According to him, when we think of an abstract idea, like "tree," we often don't fully grasp it without specific examples, such as "oak" or "pine." Berkeley believed that ideas are inherently linked to specific perceptions, and removing these details leads to confusion. He maintained that our knowledge comes from what we can see and experience rather than from vague, generalized notions. This stance challenges the validity of thinking in pure abstractions without grounded examples.