History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps

How philosophy at the universities evolved in response to Cartesianism and the “new science.” 

Arnauld’s attack on Malebranche’s theory of the “vision in God” leads to a nuanced debate over the nature of ideas. 

What inspired the occasionalist theory embraced by the 17th century Cartesians? We find out from a leading specialist on the topic. 

What led Malebranche to his notorious view that all bodily motions and thoughts are caused by God, with created things serving only as “occasions” for divine action? 

We begin to explore Malebranche’s controversial development of Cartesian philosophy by looking at his theodicy.