What is berkeley?

Famous quotes containing the word berkeley:

    Atheism..., that bugbear of women and fools, is the very top and perfection of free-thinking. It is the grand arcanum to which a true genius naturally riseth, by a certain climax or gradation of thought, and without which he can never possess his soul in absolute liberty and repose.
    —George Berkeley (1685–1753)

    Edith: This complete loveliness will fade. And we shall forget what it was like.
    Edward: Edith, don’t.
    Edith: Oh, it’s bound to. Just a few years and the gilt wears off the gingerbread.
    Edward: Darling, answer me one thing truthfully. Have you ever seen gingerbread with gilt on it?
    Edith: [laughing] Fool!
    Edward: Then the whole argument is disposed of.
    —Reginald Berkeley (1890 N1935)

    In short, if there were external bodies, it is impossible we should ever come to know it; and if there were not, we might have the very same reasons to think there were that we have now.
    —George Berkeley (1685–1753)