There is a celebrated passage in Boswell’s Life of Johnson where Boswell broached the subject of Bishop Berkeley’s idealist philosophy and his “ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter”. When he then suggested that the idea could not be refuted, Johnson moved rapidly to a nearby large stone and “struck his foot with mighty force” against it, till he rebounded from it. As he did so, he said, “I refute it thus.” When we read this passage, we are impressed with Johnson’s commonsense approach to things. His answer appeals to us because the notion that matter is an illusion…
Subscribe to get access to all online articles
Already a member?
Sign in to read this article
Digital Subscription
$98 / YR
Get the latest ideas from Australia’s most insightful writers.
- Digital Subscription includes
- Online editions of Quadrant Magazine
- Printed editions of Quadrant Magazine
- iPad ready PDF
- Access to Quadrant Archives
Printed & Digital Subscription
$118 / YR
For avid readers of leading ideas
from Australia’s brightest.
- Printed & Digital Subscription includes
- Online editions of Quadrant Magazine
- Printed editions of Quadrant Magazine
- iPad ready PDF
- Access to Quadrant Archives
- Quadrant Patron includes
- Online editions of Quadrant Magazine
- Printed editions of Quadrant Magazine
- iPad ready PDF
- Access to Quadrant Archives
- All new editions of Quadrant Books
- Exclusive invitations to Quadrant Dinners, book launches and events.
- Quadrant Patron includes
- Online editions of Quadrant Magazine
- Printed editions of Quadrant Magazine
- iPad ready PDF
- Access to Quadrant Archives
- All new editions of Quadrant Books
- Exclusive invitations to Quadrant Dinners, book launches and events.