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YOLTON, John W. Realism and Appearances: An Essay in Ontology. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000. xiii + 157 pp. Cloth, $54.95; paper $19.95-This book addresses the relation between appearance and reality, an essay in ontology. Of course, this means primarily within modern philosophy, for example, Locke, Berkley, and Hume. If the reader is looking for an analysis of "ideas," and how these relate to objects of perception in empiricism, and even to relationalism in modern thought, this is an excellent and accurate account.
Yolton's discussion begins with a theme quote from F. H. Bradley: "Appearances Exist." And what exists must belong to reality. Yet, for centuries after, we still puzzle about how the mental can relate to the physical. Both the empiricists and the relationalists intended to achieve certainty, if not finality, in philosophical thought, but are such easily-accessible-to-all entities as ideas and sensory perceptions going to provide this?
However, as Hume pointed out in their time,...