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Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous
George Berkeley
1713
THREE DIALOGUES
Between
HYLAS AND PHILONOUS
The Design of which is Plainly to Demonstrate the Reality and
Perfection of
HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
The Incorporeal Nature of the
SOUL
And the Immediate Providence of a
DEITY
In Opposition to
SCEPTICS AND ATHEISTS
Also to Open a Method for Rendering the Sciences More Easy；
Useful； and Compendious
THE FIRST DIALOGUE
。 Good morrow； Hylas： I did not expect to find
you abroad so early。
。 It is indeed something unusual； but my thoughts
were so taken up with a subject I was discoursing of last night；
that finding I could not sleep； I resolved to rise and take a
turn in the garden。
。 It happened well； to let you see what innocent and
agreeable pleasures you lose every morning。 Can there be a
pleasanter time of the day； or a more delightful season of the
year？ That purple sky； those wild but sweet notes of birds； the
fragrant bloom upon the trees and flowers； the gentle influence
of the rising sun； these and a thousand nameless beauties of
nature inspire the soul with secret transports； its faculties too
being at this time fresh and lively； are fit for those
meditations； which the solitude of a garden and tranquillity of
the morning naturally dispose us to。 But I am afraid I interrupt
your thoughts： for you seemed very intent on something。
。 It is true； I was； and shall be obliged to you if you
will permit me to go on in the same vein； not that I would by any
means deprive myself of your company； for my thoughts always flow
more easily in conversation with a friend； than when I am alone：
but my request is； that you would suffer me to impart my
reflexions to you。
。 With all my heart； it is what I should have
requested myself if you had not prevented me。
。 I was considering the odd fate of those men who have
in all ages； through an affectation of being distinguished from
the vulgar； or some unaccountable turn of thought； pretended
either to believe nothing at all； or to believe the most
extravagant things in the world。 This however might be borne； if
their paradoxes and scepticism did not draw after them some
consequences of general disadvantage to mankind。 But the mischief
lieth ｛172｝ here； that when men of less leisure see them who are
supposed to have spent their whole time in the pursuits of
knowledge professing an entire ignorance of all things； or
advancing such notions as are repugnant to plain and commonly
received principles； they will be tempted to entertain suspicions
concerning the most important truths； which they had hitherto
held sacred and unquestionable。
。 I entirely agree with you； as to the ill tendency of
the affected doubts of some philosophers； and fantastical
conceits of others。 I am even so far gone of late in this way of
thinking； that I have quitted several of the sublime notions I
had got in their schools for vulgar opinions。 And I give it you
on my word； since this revolt from metaphysical notions to the
plain dictates of nature and common sense； I find my
understanding strangely enlightened； so that I can now easily
comprehend a great many things which before were all mystery and
riddle。
。 I am glad to find there was nothing in the accounts I
heard of you。
。 Pray； what were those？
。 You were represented； in last night's conversation；
as one who maintained the most extravagant opinion that ever
entered into the mind of man； to wit； that there is no such thing
as in the world。
。 That there is no such thing as what ； I am seriously persuaded： but； if I
were made to see anything absurd or sceptical in this； I should
then have the same reason to renounce this that I imagine I have
now to reject the contrary opinion。
。 What I can anything be more fantastical； more
repugnant to Common Sense； or a more manifest piece of
Scepticism； than to believe there is no such thing as ？
。 Softly； good Hylas。 What if it should prove that
you； who hold there is； are； by virtue of that opinion； a greater
sceptic； and maintain more paradoxes and repugnances to Common
Sense； than I who believe no such thing？
。 You may as soon persuade me； the part is greater than
the whole； as that； in order to avoid absurdity and Scepticism； I
should ever be obliged to give up my opinion in this point。
。 Well then； are you content to admit that opinion for
true； which upon examination shall appear most agreeable to
Common Sense； and remote from Scepticism？
。 With all my heart。 Since you are for raising disputes
｛173｝ about the plainest things in nature； I am content for once
to hear what you have to say。
。 Pray； Hylas； what do you mean by a ？
。 I mean what all men mean one that doubts of
everything。
。 He then who entertains no doubts concerning some
particular point； with regard to that point cannot be thought a
sceptic。
。 I agree with you。
。 Whether doth doubting consist in embracing the
affirmative or negative side of a question？
。 In neither； for whoever understands English cannot
but know that signifies a suspense between both。
。 He then that denies any point； can no more be said
to doubt of it； than he who affirmeth it with the same degree of
assurance。
。 True。
。 And； consequently； for such his denial is no more to
be esteemed a sceptic than the other。
。 I acknowledge it。
。 How cometh it to pass then； Hylas； that you
pronounce me ； because I deny what you affirm； to wit；
the existence of Matter？ Since； for aught you can tell； I am as
peremptory in my denial； as you in your affirmation。
。 Hold； Philonous； I have been a little out in my
definition； but every false step a man makes in discourse is not
to be insisted on。 I said indeed that a was one who
doubted of everything； but I should have added； or who denies the
reality and truth of things。
。 What things？ Do you mean the principles and theorems
of sciences？ But these you know are universal intellectual
notio