„Nothing seems of more Importance, towards Erecting a firm System of sound and real Knowlege, which may be Proof against the Assaults of Scepticism, than to lay the beginning in a distinct Explication, of what is meant by Thing, Reality, Existence: For in vain shall we Dispute, concerning the real Existence of Things, or pretend to any Knowlege thereof, so long as we have not fix’d the meaning of those Words. Thing or Being is the most general Name of all, it comprehends under it two Kinds intirely distinct and heterogeneous, and which have nothing common but the Name, viz. Spirits and Ideas. The former are Active, Indivisible, Incorruptible Substances: The latter are Inert, Fleeting, Perishable Passions, or Dependent Beings, which subsist not by themselves, but are supported by, or Exist in Minds or Spiritual Substances.“ (§89) #Berkeley #knowlege