Examine Berkley’s idea of “Esse Est percipi”.

George Berkeley, an 18th-century Irish philosopher, encapsulated his metaphysical perspective with the Latin phrase "esse est percipi," which translates to "to be is to be perceived." This concept is central to Berkeley's philosophical idealism, outlined in his work "A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge."

Berkeley argued that the existence of objects is dependent on their being perceived. In other words, the very essence of a thing is tied to its being perceived by a mind—either the divine mind (God) or finite minds (human or animal consciousness). If an object is not currently being perceived, it exists as an idea in the mind of God or some finite mind. Consequently, Berkeley rejected the notion of material substance existing independently of perception.

"Esse est percipi" challenges the distinction between the perceived and the perceiver, asserting that the existence of the physical world is contingent on its being observed or thought of. Berkeley's idealism contrasts with the common-sense realism that posits a material world existing independently of perception. While his ideas faced criticism, particularly regarding the nature of unperceived objects, "esse est percipi" remains a concise expression of Berkeley's radical departure from the traditional views on reality and perception.