Berkeley's Criticisms of Shaftesbury and Hutcheson

In this paper, I attempt to clarify the nature and purpose of Berkeley\u0027s criticisms of Shaftesbury\u0027s and Hutcheson\u0027s ethical systems in the third chapter of Alciphron, explaining the extent to which those criticisms rely on the truth of idealism and considering whether Berkeley or his philosophical opponents have the better of the arguments. In the end, I conclude that some of Berkeley\u0027s criticisms are based on confusion and misunderstanding, others are likely contradicted by the empirical evidence, and yet others are unconvincing. At the same time, the criticisms reveal that Berkeley\u0027s metaphysical and ethical views are, perhaps surprisingly, significantly intertwined.