Study Guide Questions for Berkeley’s Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous

Instructions:

·         You are permitted to use your copy of Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous.

·         Remember to answer every question and every part of every question.

·         Use material from the text to answer the questions and to demonstrate your familiarity with the relevant sections.

·         Include material from class discussion.

·         Demonstrate that you have "thought about the material."

·         Use the relevant vocabulary.

·         Be as thorough as possible.

·         Use complete sentences and proper paragraphs.

·         Do not use the words ‘also’ or ‘very’.

·         Do not begin sentences with the words ‘and’ or ‘but’ or ‘well’.

·         Do not use the phrases ‘I think’, ‘I feel’, or ‘I believe’.

The exam questions will be taken from the questions below.

Study guide questions for the First Dialogue:  

 ·         What is Empiricism?

 ·         What is Skepticism?

 ·         What is Materialism?

 ·         What is Idealism?

 ·         What is the distinction between primary and secondary qualities? Why does Hylas initially draw this distinction?

 ·         What arguments does Philonous use to show that sensible qualities are mind-dependent?

 ·         What is the Master Argument?

 ·         Why does Hylas find it difficult to give up materialism?

 ·         What is Berkeley’s argument for the existence of God?

 ·         What defenses of matter are offered by Hylas, and on what grounds does Philonous reject each of them?

 ·    When it comes to existence claims, what is a reasonable standard or principle for belief, and why?

 ·    What is the conclusion with respect to matter in the Second Dialogue?

Study guide questions for the Third Dialogue:

 ·    Why does Materialism lead to Skepticism? Why does Philonous believe that Idealism avoids Skepticism?

 ·    What are some problems that Hylas raises for Idealism? How does Philonous respond? Know the Problem of Evil in particular.