SOURCE: “Berkeley's Master Argument,” in Philosophical Review, Vol. 83, January, 1974, pp. 55-69.

In the following essay, Gallois considers the role imaging and perception play in the “master argument” of Berkeley's philosophy.

In the first dialogue of the Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous, the following famous argument occurs which I shall refer to as the master argument.

Philonous: “… If you can conceive it possible for any mixture or combination of qualities, or any sensible object whatever, to exist without the mind, then I will grant it actually to be so.”

Hylas: “If it comes to that the point will soon be decided. What more easy to conceive of a tree or a house existing by itself, independent of, and unperceived by any mind whatsoever? I do at this moment conceive them existing after that manner.”

Philonous: “How say you Hylas, can you see a thing which is at the...