"Three Dialogues" - читать интересную книгу автора (Berkeley George)

heard of you.

. Pray, what were those?

. You were represented, in last night's conversation,
as one who maintained the most extravagant opinion that ever
entered into the mind of man, to wit, that there is no such thing
as in the world.

. That there is no such thing as what call material substance>, I am seriously persuaded: but, if I
were made to see anything absurd or sceptical in this, I should
then have the same reason to renounce this that I imagine I have
now to reject the contrary opinion.

. What I can anything be more fantastical, more
repugnant to Common Sense, or a more manifest piece of
Scepticism, than to believe there is no such thing as ?

. Softly, good Hylas. What if it should prove that
you, who hold there is, are, by virtue of that opinion, a greater
sceptic, and maintain more paradoxes and repugnances to Common
Sense, than I who believe no such thing?

. You may as soon persuade me, the part is greater than

the whole, as that, in order to avoid absurdity and Scepticism, I
should ever be obliged to give up my opinion in this point.

. Well then, are you content to admit that opinion for
true, which upon examination shall appear most agreeable to
Common Sense, and remote from Scepticism?

. With all my heart. Since you are for raising disputes
{173} about the plainest things in nature, I am content for once
to hear what you have to say.

. Pray, Hylas, what do you mean by a ?

. I mean what all men mean -- one that doubts of
everything.

. He then who entertains no doubts concerning some
particular point, with regard to that point cannot be thought a
sceptic.

. I agree with you.

. Whether doth doubting consist in embracing the
affirmative or negative side of a question?