George Berkeley

George Berkeley was an 18th-century philosopher known for his ideas in metaphysics and epistemology, particularly his belief that material objects exist only as perceptions in our minds. He famously asserted “esse est percipi,” meaning "to be is to be perceived." This challenges the notion of an independent physical reality, suggesting that existence depends on being sensed or perceived by someone. Berkeley also explored philosophical theology, arguing that God ensures the continuity of the world when we’re not perceiving it. His thoughts on identity and change emphasize that our experiences shape our understanding of reality, making perception central to existence.