A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge

A Treatise Concerning the
Principles of Human Knowledge

by George Berkeley

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Human Knowledge
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Title: A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge
Author: George Berkeley
Release Date: December, 2003 [Etext #4723] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 7,
2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
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A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge by George
Berkeley (1685-1753)
WHEREIN THE CHIEF CAUSES OF ERROR AND DIFFICULTY
IN THE SCIENCES, WITH THE GROUNDS OF SCEPTICISM,
ATHEISM, AND IRRELIGION, ARE INQUIRED INTO.

DEDICATION

To the Right Honourable THOMAS, EARL OF PEMBROKE, &C.,
Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and one of the Lords of
Her Majesty's most honourable privy council.
My Lord,
You will perhaps wonder that an obscure person, who has not the
honour to be known to your lordship, should presume to address you in
this manner. But that a man who has written something with a design to
promote Useful Knowledge and Religion in the world should make
choice of your lordship for his patron, will not be thought strange by
any one that is not altogether unacquainted with the present state of the
church and learning, and consequently ignorant how great an ornament
and support you are to both. Yet, nothing could have induced me to
make you this present of my poor endeavours, were I not encouraged
by that candour and native goodness which is so bright a part in your
lordship's character. I might add, my lord, that the extraordinary favour
and bounty you have been pleased to show towards our Society gave
me hopes you would not be unwilling to countenance the studies of one
of its members. These considerations determined me to lay this treatise

at your lordship's feet, and the rather because I was ambitious to have it
known that I am with the truest and most profound respect, on account
of that learning and virtue which the world so justly admires in your
lordship, MY LORD, Your lordship's most humble and most devoted
servant,
GEORGE BERKELEY

* * * *

PREFACE

What I here make public has, after a long and scrupulous inquiry,
seemed to me evidently true and not unuseful to be known--particularly
to those who are tainted with Scepticism, or want a demonstration of
the existence and immateriality of God, or the natural immortality of
the soul. Whether it be so or no I am content the reader should
impartially examine; since I do not think myself any farther concerned
for the success of what I have written than as it is agreeable