An Empiricist and Idealist Critique of the Idea of Substance
Abstract: This paper examines the concept of substance in terms of the traditional view of it as something that exists to support the properties of things or objects generally. Critiques of this view by Berkeley and Hume, as well as their theoretical foundations of empiricism and idealism, will be analysed. In addition to determining what can be concluded from these critiques of the idea of substance, it will be discussed whether Berkeley’s critique is fully convincing or not, by addressing objections to it, as well as by explaining what is common between the two critiques of the idea of substance by Berkeley and Hume. I argue that although Berkeley makes an inspired case for his immaterialist idealism, the theory underlying his critique of substance encounters objections which render me sceptical of his account.
Key words: Substance; Berkeley; Hume; Empiricism; Idealism; Immaterialism; Critique.
Dwyer, A. (2019). An Empiricist and Idealist Critique of the Idea of Substance. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/an-empiricist-and-idealist-critique-of-the-idea-of-substance
Dwyer, Ariana "An Empiricist and Idealist Critique of the Idea of Substance" Afribary. Afribary, 11 Jul. 2019, https://afribary.com/works/an-empiricist-and-idealist-critique-of-the-idea-of-substance. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Dwyer, Ariana . "An Empiricist and Idealist Critique of the Idea of Substance". Afribary, Afribary, 11 Jul. 2019. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/an-empiricist-and-idealist-critique-of-the-idea-of-substance >.
Dwyer, Ariana . "An Empiricist and Idealist Critique of the Idea of Substance" Afribary (2019). Accessed April 26, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/an-empiricist-and-idealist-critique-of-the-idea-of-substance