The querist presents a series of philosophical questions that addresses the socio-economic challenges facing Ireland, focusing on the nature of wealth, poverty, and industry. Through these carefully posed queries, the work encourages reflection on whether prosperity which can coexist with widespread idleness, the root causes of poverty in a society where basic needs are met, and how government policies might effectively promote industry and economic growth. The treatise questions conventional ideas about money, luxury, and resource distribution, urging readers to consider the moral implications of economic behavior. Berkeley emphasizes the role of sound governance in fostering a productive society and economic stability. His inquiries lay the groundwork for economic theory intertwined with ethical considerations, reflecting his broader philosophical outlook. The work blends practical concerns about Ireland’s economy with a vision for social reform, highlighting the interconnectedness of economic practices and the moral responsibility in building a prosperous and just nation.
George Berkeley was born on March 12, 1685, at Dysart Castle, Ireland, to William Berkeley and Elisabeth Southerne. An Anglo-Irish philosopher, writer, and clergyman, he became one of the most influential thinkers of the early modern period. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Berkeley developed the doctrine of immaterialism, later known as subjective idealism, which proposed that reality exists only as perceptions within the mind. This philosophical stance challenged the materialist ideas of his time and redefined the relationship between perception, existence, and divine order. Deeply influenced by thinkers such as John Locke, René Descartes, and Nicolas Malebranche, Berkeley sought to reconcile empirical observation with spiritual truth, arguing that the existence of all things depends on their being perceived by God. His works, including A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge and Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous, profoundly shaped subsequent philosophical thought. Beyond philosophy, he served as a bishop and advocated education and moral reform. Married to Anne Forster from 1728 until his death, Berkeley passed away on January 14, 1753, in Oxford, leaving a lasting intellectual and theological legacy.
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