In the first discussion between the two thinkers, George Berkeley examines the major philosophical systems of his time – many of which have survived to the present time – and dismisses them all as leading to an untenable skepticism which denies that we can ever observe the world. This leads to three dialogues between the two, each covering a day of discussion. In response, Philonous issues him a challenge: that Hylas, together with Philonous, examine both theories and adopt whichever one leads to the least skepticism. When Hylas discovers that Philonous does not believe in the existence of a material world outside of us, he accuses him of being one of the skeptics. Both men are deeply disturbed by the prevailing tendencies in philosophy, which they feel has lost its way to skepticism and intellectual detachment. In the early morning, Philonous finds Hylas lost in thought in the college garden. Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Berkeley, George.
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