Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous

The "Three Dialogues" between Hylas and Philonous, written by George Berkeley, explore whether material objects exist independently of perception. Hylas argues that physical things are real and exist outside our minds, while Philonous contends that objects only exist as they are perceived; their existence depends on being observed. Through their conversations, Berkeley suggests that God perceives everything continuously, giving permanence to objects, and that reality is fundamentally made up of minds and perceptions rather than inert matter. This dialogue challenges the idea that physical objects exist independently and emphasizes the importance of perception and consciousness in understanding reality.