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Full Idea
We might perceive all things just as we do now, though there was no matter in the world.
Gist of Idea
It is possible that we could perceive everything as we do now, but nothing actually existed.
Source
George Berkeley (Three Dialogues of Hylas and Philonous [1713], II p.209)
Book Ref
Berkeley,George: 'The Principles of Human Knowledge etc.', ed/tr. Warnock,G.J. [Fontana 1962], p.209
A Reaction
An old Greek argument. Now we have an explanation of experience, but we wouldn't if nothing existed. Which doesn't prove that anything exists. Is some explanation always preferable to none? Cf. religion.