Ideas principales de nicolas malebranche biography

1. Biography of Nicolas Malebranche
2. Inspired by Descartes
3. The Search for Truth
4. Legacy and Contributions
5. Other Works

Biography of Nicolas Malebranche

Nicolas Malebranche was a French philosopher born on August 6, 1638, in Paris. He came from a family of Louis XIII's secretary. In his youth, Malebranche studied at the Collège de la Marche and the Sorbonne. He later joined the congregation of the "Oratory of Jesus" (Oratorians) and became a priest in 1664.

Inspired by Descartes

Malebranche had the opportunity to dedicate a significant amount of time to scientific pursuits due to the lenient rules of the Oratorians. It was during this time that he read René Descartes' Treatise on Man, which greatly inspired him. Malebranche spent the rest of his life studying mathematics, physics, and philosophy. His philosophy combined ideas from Descartes, Augustine, and Neoplatonists.

The Search for Truth

Malebranche's most famous work is "The Search for Truth" (De la recherche de la vérité, 1674–1675; final version with revisions in 1712). His most significant contribution to philosophy is his theory of vision and the doctrine of occasionalism. According to occasionalism, due to the absolute distinction between matter and spirit, they are not connected to each other. Any apparent interaction between them is simply a parallel change brought about by divine intervention in each particular case. Malebranche also believed that true knowledge required other representative ideas, which were archetypes or ideas of objects existing in the mind of God. Thus, he claimed that "we see all things in God."

Legacy and Contributions

Malebranche was also a renowned mathematician, particularly known for his work in infinitesimal calculus. He engaged in extensive correspondence with scientists from France and England. Towards the end of his life, he engaged in a vigorous debate with George Berkeley and Antoine Arnauld. Malebranche passed away in Paris on October 13, 1715. Although highly influential during his lifetime and immediately after his death, his influence began to wane in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, he is regarded as one of the most subtle metaphysicians, precursor to David Hume's criticism of causality, Gottfried Leibniz's theory of pre-established harmony, and Berkeley's doctrine of ideas as the only objects of perception. Malebranche also contributed to modern psychological theories with his concept of the unconscious mind.

Other Works

Among Malebranche's other notable works are "Treatise on Nature and Grace" (Trait de la nature et de la grâce, 1680), "Conversations on Metaphysics and Religion" (Entretiens sur la métaphysique et sur la religion, 1688), and "Christian Meditations on Morality" (Méditations chrétiennes morale, 1683).