Doubting Descartes: How Berkeley’s Immaterialism Outshines the Cartesian System
Rocco Angelo Astore
Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities May 6, 2018 DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v10n2.11 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Berkeley's principle "esse est percipi" ("to be is to be perceived") portrays the relationship between existence and thought more precisely than Descartes's "cogito ergo sum," using Berkeley's skeptical approach to cast doubt on the Cartesian claim that correct reasoning yields certain knowledge of the self as a substance. |
Abstract
The 17 th -century Rationalist philosopher, Descartes, famously uttered "cogito ergo sum," or "I think; therefore, I am." (1980, 61).Although this declaration caused an irreversible shift in philosophical thought, does it genuinely capture the bond between the nature of existence and consciousness?This essay will commence with an overview of Descartes's method of doubt, and why it led him to conclude that correct reasoning necessarily leads to certain knowledge of self and an awareness of one's uniqueness as a substance (1980,(62)(63)(64).Next, by entering the skeptical approach of Immaterialist philosopher George Berkeley, this piece will attempt to cast uncertainty on this foundational Cartesian claim.Lastly, this paper will assert why it is that Berkeley's "esse est percipi," or "to be is to be perceived," portrays the link between existence and thought more precisely than what may be Descartes's most profound articulation.