Bishop Berkeley

Bishop Berkeley was an Irish philosopher in the 18th century known for his theory of idealism, which argues that the physical world only exists as we perceive it through our senses. He famously stated, "To be is to be perceived," suggesting that objects do not exist independently of our perception. This challenges the idea of a material reality existing outside of our experience. Berkeley believed that everything we understand is shaped by our interactions and observations, emphasizing the importance of perception in defining existence. His work significantly influenced modern philosophy, particularly discussions on reality and perception.