1 On Berkeley ’ s Arguments With Regard to Realism and Idealism

We consider the arguments of Berkeley against the thinkability of realism. We show that in fact Berkeley’s assumptions do not merely lead to the conclusion that realism is unthinkable, but that in fact Berkeley’s argument implies that idealism is also unthinkable, and leaves only a weak version of solipsism remains as a thinkable ontological position. From this, we argue that it is not possible to eliminate realism using the type of argument employed by Berkeley, unless one is willing to accept solipsism. The consequences for the conceptual possibilities which should then be thinkable as a result are discussed.