Malebranche

Nicolas Malebranche

Born: 6 Aug 1638 in Paris, France
Died: 13 Oct 1715 in Paris, France

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Malebranche was a cripple all his life suffering from a deformed spine. He studied philosophy and theology at the Collège de la Marche and the Sorbonne in Paris. He then joined the Congregation of the Oratory and in 1664 was ordained a priest. He read Descartes's Traité de l'homme and this turned him towards a study of mathematics and physics.

Malebranche is a major philosopher and follower of Descartes. His metaphysics is his belief that we see all things in God . Human knowledge of the world is only possible through a relation between man and God. He developed Descartes' ideas to bring them more in line with standard Roman Catholic orthodox belief.

Malebranche's works include research into the nature of light and colour, studies in the
infinitesimal calculus and work on vision. This mathematical and scientific work led to his election to the Académie des Sciences in 1699.

Malebranche had a large influence on the development of science, he taught amthematics and physics to Privat de Molières and Reyneau while he was in dispute with others such as Arnauld.

Malebranche's most important work is the three volumes of De la recherche de la vérité (1674-75). Criticism of his work led to his publication ofTraité de la nature et de la grâce (1680). Another important work is Entretiens sur la métaphysique et sur la religion (1688).

References:

  1. A A Luce, Berkeley and Malebranche: A Study in the Origins of Berkeley's Thought (1988).
  2. R W Church, A Study in the Philosophy of Malebranche (1970).
  3. B K Rome, The Philosophy of Malebranche (1963).
  4. D Radner, Malebranche: A Study of a Cartesian System (1978).
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JOC/EFR February 1996