16 June 2004 Lecture Summary (Guest Lecture)

I gave a guest lecture for Julie's half of the PHL 210Y Summer class.

Philosophers Examined: Malebranche, Norris, Astell; especially Malebranche.

Line of Thought: The key to understanding Malebranche is understanding his account of reason. I looked at several arguments involved in this account to conclude that Malebranche's unique twist is this: Reason is an independent rational agent, and, in particular, a divine person. Using this he is able to make a number of philosophically interesting moves: Reason is the Interior Teacher, the Intelligible World, Order, the Divine Word, etc. I then showed how Reason-as-Order forms the background for Malebranche's occasionalism, in which he rejects the notion of causal powers or efficacious natures as idolatrous and due to original sin. (We'll discuss some of the particular arguments he uses to supplement this conclusion next term.)

I then looked briefly at John Norris and Mary Astell - too briefly, but (I hope) enough to give interested students a place to start if they are interested in looking into the matter on their own.

Activity: Malebranche/Astell Wordfind.

UPDATE: In my lecture I briefly noted the theological origins of the notion 'person'; as it happens there is an article in the recent issue of the philosophical journal, ACPQ; if anyone in class wants a copy, let me know and I'll give you one. (22 June 2004)