George Berkeley Idealism and the Man [Paperback]

Unlike nearly all studies of Berkeley, this book looks at the full range of his work and links it with his life--focusing in particular on his religious thought. While aiming to present a clear picture of his career, Berman breaks new ground on, among other topics, Berkeley's philosophical strategy, his account of immortality, his Jacobitism, his emotive theory of religious mysteries, and the motivation of hisSiris(1744). Also distinctive is the attention paid to the Irish context of his thought, his symbolic frontispieces and portraits, and recent discoveries concerning his life and writings.

An excellent account of Berkeley's life and work....It is a relief to have such a well written book as this one by Berman. The English is lucid, deceptively simple and rather elegant. It is an informative and intelligent discussion of the views of an important philosopher....It has the added attraction of being a pleasure to read. --Irish Theological Quarterly