The Works of George Berkeley. Vol. 1 of 4: Philosophical Works, 1705-21Berkeley, George
Philosophy
The Works of George Berkeley. Vol. 1 of 4: Philosophical Works, 1705-21
Berkeley, George
Philosophy -- Early works to 1800
60. In the _eleventh_ place, it will be demanded to what purpose serves
that curious organization of plants, and the animal mechanism in the parts
of animals. Might not vegetables grow, and shoot forth leaves and
blossoms, and animals perform all their motions, as well without as with
all that variety of internal parts so elegantly contrived and put
together;—which, being ideas, have nothing powerful or operative in them,
nor have any _necessary_ connexion with the effects ascribed to them? If
it be a Spirit that immediately produces every effect by a _fiat_, or act
of his will(634), we must think all that is fine and artificial in the
works, whether of man or nature, to be made in vain. By this doctrine,
though an artist hath made the spring and wheels, and every movement of a
watch, and adjusted them in such a manner as he knew would produce the
motions he designed; yet he must think all this done to no purpose, and
that it is an Intelligence which directs the index, and points to the hour
of the day. If so, why may not the Intelligence do it, without _his_ being
at the pains of making the movements and putting them together? Why does
not an empty case serve as well as another? And how comes it to pass, that
whenever there is any fault in the going of a watch, there is some
corresponding disorder to be found in the movements, which being mended by
a skilful hand all is right again? The like may be said of all the
Clockwork of Nature, great part whereof is so wonderfully fine and subtle
as scarce to be discerned by the best microscope. In short, it will be
asked, how, upon our Principles, any tolerable account can be given, or
any final cause assigned of an innumerable multitude of bodies and
machines, framed with the most exquisite art, which in the common
philosophy have very apposite uses assigned them, and serve to explain
abundance of phenomena?
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