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All the choir of heaven and furniture of earth - in a word, all those bodies which compose the frame of the world - have not any subsistence without a mind.
George Berkeley
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that reality and existence are dependent on consciousness and perception.

George Berkeley's quote highlights the philosophical idea that objects and the world around us do not have an existence independent of our perception. He argues that it is the mind that gives meaning and substance to the physical world, suggesting that reality is fundamentally tied to our consciousness and understanding.

Themes

RealityPerceptionExistenceMindPhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

In a philosophy class discussing the nature of reality and existence.

More from George Berkeley

Others indeed may talk, and write, and fight about liberty, and make an outward pretence to it but the free-thinker alone is truly free.
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To be is to be perceived (Esse est percipi)." Or, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?
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Truth is the cry of all, but the game of few.
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The same principles which at first view lead to skepticism, pursued to a certain point, bring men back to common sense.
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Many things, for aught I know, may exist, whereof neither I nor any other man hath or can have any idea or notion whatsoever.
George BerkeleyRead
A ray of imagination or of wisdom may enlighten the universe, and glow into remotest centuries.
George BerkeleyRead

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