Explanation Of Philonous Argument Of Hylas

Philonous proves that it is impossible for the objects that we perceive to exist independently of our perception of them because physical matter is incogitable and false, ideas and the minds that have these ideas are the only things real in the world, and one cannot affirm the existence of a physical object if they do not know what a physical object is. Philonous begins his argument by stating that anything that is perceived is perceived immediately. Upon expanding on this information Philonous and Hylas agree that ideas sensible things are those only which are immediately perceived by sense. Here Philonous has proven that we are only aware of the mind. However, Hylas believes that physical objects cause our perception and sensations and not the mind.
Next Philonous applies this conclusion to the idea of heat. Philonous asks Hylas if heat is a sensible thing. Hylas says yes heat is a sensible thing that exists in the object and in return Philonous states that heat comes in many different degrees from warm to extremely hot. Hylas agrees with this assertion and Philonous then expands on this idea of heat. Philonous asks Hylas if all degrees of heat are real and Hylas replies that they are. Here Philonous assimilates Hylas’ argument of physical matter as he states that heat can be both a pleasure and a pain. Philonous uses the example of two hands of different temperature being placed into a bucket of water with one hand being hot and the other being cold. Philonous points out that the water would feel warm to one hand and cold to the other. Hylas is forced to agree to this truth and Philonous proves that the heat cannot be in the object itself rather a perception and sensation of the mind. Philonous has began to disprove the existence of physical matter but Hylas is not yet ready to admit that there are no objects in the