berkeleianism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Ultra Low (Only in specialized philosophical/ historical academic contexts)Formal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “berkeleianism” mean?
The philosophical system associated with Bishop George Berkeley (1685–1753), primarily characterized by its immaterialist or subjective idealist position, summarized in the phrase "esse est percipi" (to be is to be perceived).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The philosophical system associated with Bishop George Berkeley (1685–1753), primarily characterized by its immaterialist or subjective idealist position, summarized in the phrase "esse est percipi" (to be is to be perceived).
In broader terms, it can refer to any philosophical stance that emphasizes the primary, constitutive role of perception, mind, or spirit in reality, often contrasted with materialism or direct realism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The lowercase spelling is slightly more common in modern academic typography, but both occur. The word is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral descriptor of a philosophical position. May carry a slight historical or doxographical connotation (i.e., discussing past philosophy rather than advocating it).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, limited to philosophy departments, intellectual history, and related scholarly texts.
Grammar
How to Use “berkeleianism” in a Sentence
[Subject] advocates/defends/critiques Berkeleianism.Berkeleianism holds/posits/denies that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “berkeleianism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form. One might 'Berkeley-ize' a thought experiment, but this is non-standard.]
American English
- [No verb form.]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form. One might argue 'Berkeleianly', but it is extremely rare and non-standard.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- His Berkeleian arguments were met with scepticism by the materialists.
American English
- Her interpretation took a distinctly Berkeleian turn.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Sole context of use. Found in philosophy, history of ideas, theology, and occasionally literary criticism discussing 18th-century thought.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The technical term within its specific field (philosophy).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “berkeleianism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “berkeleianism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “berkeleianism”
- Misspelling: 'Berkleyanism', 'Berkelianism'.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a Berkeleianism').
- Confusing it with other forms of idealism (e.g., Hegelianism, Kantianism).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not at all. It is a technical philosophical position about the nature of reality, not about supernatural entities.
Not necessarily. While Berkeleianism makes perception central, Berkeley argued God perceives everything constantly, guaranteeing a public world and avoiding pure solipsism.
Almost exclusively in university-level textbooks, articles, or lectures on the history of modern philosophy (17th-18th centuries).
Yes. A 'Berkeleian' is a follower or advocate of Berkeleianism (e.g., 'Samuel Johnson was a fierce critic of the Berkeleians').
The philosophical system associated with Bishop George Berkeley (1685–1753), primarily characterized by its immaterialist or subjective idealist position, summarized in the phrase "esse est percipi" (to be is to be perceived).
Berkeleianism is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Berkeleianism: in British English it is pronounced /bɑːkˈliːənɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɜːrkˈliːənɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BERKELEY + AN + ISM. Bishop Berkeley insisted reality IS only in the MIND – his 'ism' is about perception.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORLD IS AN IDEA (Reality is constituted by mental activity rather than brute matter).
Practice
Quiz
Berkeleianism is primarily a doctrine of: