Faculty Colloquium Series: Stephen Daniel (PHIL) 10/8/19
“George Berkeley and Early Modern Philosophy” Tuesday, October 8, 2019, 4-5 p.m. Location: 311 Glasscock Building Stephen Daniel Department of Philosophy, 2019-2020 Glasscock Internal Faculty Residential Fellow Abstract: According to the 18th century philosopher George Berkeley, God’s creation of a world of objects occurs in the very same act as his creation of the minds […]
“George Berkeley and Early Modern Philosophy”
Tuesday, October 8, 2019, 4-5 p.m.
Location: 311 Glasscock Building
Stephen Daniel
Department of Philosophy, 2019-2020 Glasscock Internal Faculty Residential Fellow
Abstract:
According to the 18th century philosopher George Berkeley, God’s creation of a world of objects occurs in the very same act as his creation of the minds that perceive those objects. Those objects (‘ideas’) cannot exist without being perceived, so the activity that differentiates them from all else must be the ‘substance’ in terms of which they exist. Since this substance is not an object but rather an activity, it is like God: it differs from him only in the extensiveness of its apprehensions. Berkeley’s views on how minds and their objects are intrinsically related is clarified when they are compared to the positions of other early modern thinkers (e.g. Descartes).
The Faculty Colloquium offers faculty an opportunity to discuss a work-in-progress with faculty and graduate students from different disciplines. By long-standing practice, colloquium presenters provide a draft of their current research, which is made available to members of the Glasscock Center listserv. Each colloquium begins with the presenter’s short (10-15 minute) exposition of the project, after which the floor is open for comments and queries. The format is by design informal, conversational, and interdisciplinary.
The Glasscock Center extends a warm invitation to faculty and students to join in a discussion of Stephen Daniel’s work-in-progress. The paper is available to members of the Center’s listserv, or by contacting the Glasscock Center by phone at (979) 845-8328 or by e-mail at glasscock@tamu.edu.
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