ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author attribute to Berkeley is that an argument can be used to prove the impossibility of abstract ideas. In the Introduction to the Principles, Berkeley argues in several ways against the “patrons” of abstract ideas. The author will be concerned with his line of reasoning. He concludes that, since his reading can be defended against these objections, it stands a chance of being the correct interpretation of this important passage. In his Berkeley, George Pitcher contends that the main line of argument against the possibility of abstract ideas is an argument that proceeds from the impossibility of an object or state of affairs to the impossibility of an idea of such an object or state of affairs. Not only could Berkeley’s adversaries react in this way, but also it seems that Berkeley himself was well aware of this line of defense.
