Single Idea 8280

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 3. Idealism / a. Idealism]

Full Idea

Although the appearance of distance and so of space may conceivably be no more than an appearance (as Berkeley held), the appearance of change and so of time cannot be no more than appearance - for the appearance of change involves change (in minds).

Gist of Idea

While space may just be appearance, time and change can't be, because the appearances change

Source

E.J. Lowe (The Possibility of Metaphysics [1998], 7.9)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'The Possibility of Metaphysics' [OUP 2001], p.173


A Reaction

This would seem to place some sort of limit on idealism. Since it doesn't offer a barrier to solipsism, though, it is not much consolation. We mustn't forget that Parmenides and Zeno of Elea proved that change is just an illusion.