Philosophy 210/310 Early Modern Philosophy  Andrew Mills'  Homepage Course Resources Homepage Dept. of Religion and Philosophy

(The first one is due to Ronald Knox.  The source of the second is unknown. The last two limericks are the handiwork of  Roderick T. Long.)

There once was a man who said "God
Must think it exceedingly odd
If he finds that this tree
Continues to be
When there's no one about in the Quad."
 

Dear Sir,
              Your astonishment's odd.
I am always about in the Quad.
And that's why the tree
Will continue to be
Since observed by
                          Yours faithfully,
                                                  God

If objects depend on our seeing
So that trees, unobserved, would cease tree-ing,
Then my question is: Who
Is the one who sees you
And assures your persistence in being?

Dear Sir,
             You reason most oddly.
To be's to be seen for the bod'ly.
But for spirits like me,
To be is to see.
Sincerely,
              The one who is godly.