Phil 30I W25 Lecture 5.2

INTRODUCTION TO EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY

• Instructor: Matic Kastelec

• Course: UC Riverside, Winter 2025

ECTURE 5.2: NICOLAS MALEBRANCHE

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Understand Malebranche’s analysis of causation, including:

   • Nature of causal powers

   • Connection between causes and effects

2. Analyze Malebranche’s arguments supporting occasionalism:

   • Claim that God is the only true cause

3. Explain the distinction between true causes and occasional causes

4. Examine implications of occasionalism regarding:

   • Understanding the world

   • Relationship between minds and bodiesL

NICOLAS MALEBRANCHE (1638-1715)

Biography:

• 1638: Born in Paris, frail health; tutored until age 16

• Studies: Theology in Paris; develops distaste for scholasticism

• 1660: Enters the Oratory (Augustinian congregation)

• 1664: Ordained as priest

• Influence of Descartes: Stumbles upon Descartes’s Treatise on Man, becomes "ecstatic"

• Works: Notable contributions include Search After Truth

• Best known for concepts of vision in God and occasionalism

OVERVIEW OF MALEBRANCHE’S OCCASIONALISM

• Key Assertions:

  • Finite entities (bodies or minds) lack causal power

  • Actions of finite things are merely occasions for divine action

  • God is recognized as the only true cause

• Discussion Point: Theological and philosophical motivations for occasionalism

WHAT IS A CAUSE?

• Encourage identifying everyday examples of causes and effects

• Explore importance and definition of causes

CAUSAL RELATIONS

Types of Causation:

• Body → Mind:

  • Example: Stubbing toe causes pain

  • Example: Drinking coffee increases alertness

• Mind → Body:

  • Example: Deciding to raise a hand results in hand lifting

  • Example: Anxiety leads to increased heart rate

• Mind → Mind:

  • Example: Remembering a grandparent brings to mind favorite dish

  • Example: Philosophical thoughts shift understanding

• Body → Body:

  • Example: One billiard ball striking another

  • Example: Archery, where the arrow travels

A NECESSARY CONNECTION

• Malebranche defines a true cause as one perceived to have a necessary connection to its effect

• Example: True cause 'a' is linked to effect 'b' through necessity

CAUSAL POWER

• Connection is fundamentally based on the cause's power to effect change

• Exploration of who or what could possess such causal power

WHAT CAN BE A TRUE CAUSE?

Candidates for True Cause:

• Bodies: Cannot be true causes

• Minds: Lacking necessary connection to physical effects

• God: Viewed as the only true cause

MOTION OF BODIES

• Example of billiard balls: Striking one causes movement of another

CAN BODIES MOVE THEMSELVES?

• Claim: No body has the power to act independently

  • Distinction: Bodies do not possess self-movement; they communicate no force

• Explanation of Cartesian understanding of bodies' nature

DOES THE MIND MOVE THE BODY?

• Claim: Finite minds lack necessary WILL to cause motion in bodies

  • Example: Decision to raise hand might not lead to action i - The absence of a necessary connection means minds cannot act as true causes

WHAT CAN BE A TRUE CAUSE?

• Bodies: Reason refutes the idea of bodies causing events

• Minds: No necessary link between will and bodily motion

• God: Affirmed as the only true cause

GOD IS THE ONLY TRUE CAUSE

• Necessary Connection: Exists between God’s will and effects

• Affirmation of God’s power to act: Divine power implies inevitable effect of divine will

TRUE CAUSE AND OCCASIONAL CAUSE

• Finite entities serve as occasional causes, intervals for God's action rather than true causes

CAUSAL RELATIONS À LA MALEBRANCHE

• Illustrative examples connecting occurrences:

  • Body → {God} → Mind: Stubbing toe (occasional cause) leads to pain (true cause)

  • Mind → {God} → Body: Deciding to raise hand leads to lifting by divine action

  • Mind → {God} → Mind: Thoughts prompted by memories or philosophical reflections

  • Body → {God} → Body: Physical interactions mediated by divine action

SUMMARY

• Malebranche asserts a necessary connection exists between true causes and their effects

• This necessity is based on the cause's inherent power to generate its effect

• Finite beings (bodies or minds) are not true causes but merely occasions for divine action

• God remains the sole true cause, illustrating the concept of divine power in action.