History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 489 All Power to Him: Malebranche and Occasionalism
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Mar 22, 2026 A deep dive into why Malebranche thought God, not created things, causes every bodily motion and thought. Contrasts occasionalism with other views on causation and explores Cartesian reasons bodies lack causal power. Covers objections like collisions, the role of God’s general volitions, and connections to medieval theology and religious motivations.
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All Apparent Causes Are Occasions For God
- Malebranche defends occasionalism: apparent causes (like fire) are only occasions for God, the true cause of every effect.
- He argues genuine causes necessitate their effects, and because created things don't, God must constantly cause each particular event.
Everyday Examples That Mask Lack Of Necessity
- Everyday examples (jokes, dropped dishes, fire and cotton) show we attribute causation even when effects aren't necessary.
- Malebranche's critics say complete causal stories fill gaps by specifying all conditions making effects necessary.
God Alone Acts Not Concurrently With Nature
- Malebranche targets concurrentism, claiming God doesn't merely cooperate with natural causes but alone causes effects, rendering created causes superfluous.
- He holds God's constant volitions conform to general laws while producing each particular motion.