The document discusses the debate between Hylas and Philonous regarding the existence of material substance. Philonous argues that if all experiences are of qualities that exist in the mind, then there is no reason to believe objects exist independently as material substance. Philonous also argues that since all ideas must exist in a mind, and our experiences seem to be of objects existing without our mind, there must be an eternal mind that perceives everything constantly. The document examines how we combine sensations into single objects and explores the assumptions about what type of substance underlies our experiences.

1. 3 DialoguesBetween Hylas and Philonous in Opposition to Sceptics and AtheistsGeorge Berkeley

2. The CharactersHylas (Matter)Philonous (Lover of Mind)

3. Material SubstanceDo we experience an object as it truly is?

4. Material SubstanceHylasWe experience objects through our senses.The source of our experiences are objects independent of us.These objects exist independent of us because they are made of a material substance.

5. Material SubstancePhilonousObjection!IFAll sensible qualities are in the mind, not the object andAll experience is of sensible qualitiesTHENThere is no reason to think that the objects exist [as material substance] at all.

6. Material SubstancePhilonousBelief in material substance must lead to lack of belief in knowledge of the world

7. Mental SubstancePhilonousCan you imagine a tree that is unperceived?

8. Mental SubstancePhilonousAll sensory experience is in the mind and, so, an idea.All ideas must exist in a mind.Experience shows me that objects (ideas) exist without me, so . . .There must be a mind that perceives everything all the time.

9. Mental SubstancePhilonousWhat is wrong with Philonous’ argument?

10. Substance and ExistenceGoals:Figure out how we put different sensations together as a single objectExamine assumptions about the kind of substance that underlies these sensations

11. Substance and ExistenceTouchTextureShapeSizeWeightSolidity . . . Others?

12. Substance and ExistenceAs a group, find an object on campus and catalog its features using touch only. Return to class with a description of the object. The goal is to describe the object so that other students can guess what it is.You cannot use any information taken from sight, smell, taste, or hearing