908 B
On the First Dialogue of Hylas and Philonous
The argument that our perception of a 'real world' does not prove its existence is not new, of course. Here is a classic statement of a similar argument from BerkeIey's First Dialogue of Hylas and Philonous:
Hyl.: Do we not perceive the stars and moon, for example, to be a A great way off? Is not this, I say, manifest to the senses? I
Phil.: Do you not in a dream too perceive those or like objects?
Hyl.: I do.
Phil.: And have they not then the same appearance of distance?
Hyl.: They have.
Phil.: But you do not thence conclude the apparitions in a dream to be without the mind?
Hyl.: By no means.
Phil.: You ought not therefore to conclude that sensible objects are without the mind, from their appearance or manner wherein they are percieved.
Hyl.: I acknowledge it.