...Conceptions. If, as you say, a man may consider a figure merely as Triangular (sect, xvi.) ; if an Idea becomes general, by being made to represent or stand for all other particular Ideas of the same tort (sect, xii.), then you concede * According to Mr. Manscl, " throughout Berkeley's Dissertation,...

...several particular ideas, any one of which it indifferently suggests to the mind [Berkeley, 1710, p. 31], represent or stand for all other particular ideas of the same sort" [id., p. 32]. This ineliminable function of general ideas leads to the erroneous conclusion that there...

...tribulation I returned to Berkeley's work and focussed on his answer to the problem. Here is what he said: "Now, if we will annex a meaning to our words, and...or stand for all other particular ideas of the same sort."8 While I agreed that Berkeley's description of our mental processes was, in the main, fairly...

...idea represents others (Principles, Introduction, 15). Thus he thinks that it is sufficient to say "that an idea, which considered in itself is particular,...stand for all other particular ideas of the same sort" (Principles, Introduction, 12). This point is illustrated by considering what goes on in the mind during...

...for many others by treating it as a representative of a kind. This is summed up in Berkeley's slogan, "an idea, which considered in itself is particular,...by being made to represent or stand for all other particulars of the same sort" (Introduction, §12). 18. The letter is reprinted in Works 8:49-50. We...

...essentially identical. Consider the circularity evident in Berkeley's definition of generality : " an idea, which considered in itself is particular,...stand for all other particular ideas of the same sort" (PHK Intro. §12). How in the first place does one know they are "particular ideas of the same sort"!...

...to call nothing (else) "the same thing." And even if you say, with Berkeley, that "an idea [or word] which considered in itself is particular, becomes...stand for all other particular ideas of the same sort" (Principles), Introduction) you still haven't explained how this word gets used for these various "particulars,"...

...means no more by this than Berkeley who says in paragraph 12 of the Introduction to the Principles that "an idea, which considered in itself is particular,...or stand for all other particular ideas of the same sort."32 In any event, the point that there cannot be general ideas has been drummed home for generations...

...early works is the oblique remark in the Introduction to the Principles of Human Knowledge: 'Now, if we annex a meaning to our words, and speak only of what...by being made to represent or stand for all other particulars of the same sort' (sect. 12). What Berkeley does not seem to have realized, or to have...

...particular ideas that function as signs "representing" or calling to mind other, equally particular ideas: "Now if we will annex a meaning to our words, and...for all other particular ideas of the same sort." 36 In the same vein, Hume says that "a particular idea becomes general by being annexed to a general...