Occasionalism

The idea is attributed to Louis de la Forge (1632-1666) in his Treatise on the Spirit of Man (1665), but the chief occasionalist was Nicolas Malebranche (1638-1715). Also see: psychophysical-parallelism.php and pre-established harmony.

Occasionalism says that there is only one true cause, God, who causes what seem to be effects to appear on the occasions when what seem to be causes appear. If I strike a match, God will cause the match to light; the striking being called an occasional cause of the lighting.

The theory arose largely because of difficulties experienced by Rene Descartes (1596-1650) in saying how mind and body -which on his dualist view he treated as totally different substances – could interact causally with each other. The theory was therefore primarily applied to mind/body interactions, but was extended more widely in so far as it was felt that matter was passive and could not itself contain powers or forces.

Source:
N Malebranche, Dialogues on Metaphysics and on Religion (1688; translated 1923), 7th Dialogue

Related:

• interactionism
• trialism
• continental rationalists
• Arnold Geulincx
• idealism

Videos

Related Products

 

Occasionalism Revisited: New Essays from the Islamic and Western Philosophical Traditions

• English (Publication Language)
• 314 Pages - 05/08/2017 (Publication Date) - Kalam Research & Media (Publisher)

Check Price on Amazon

 

Occasionalism: From Metaphysics to Science (Age of Descartes) (English and French Edition) (The Age of Descartes / Descartes et son temps)

• Matteo Favaretti Camposampiero (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 293 Pages - 03/14/2019 (Publication Date) - Brepols Publishers (Publisher)

Check Price on Amazon

 

Islamic Occasionalism: and its critique by Averroes and Aquinas

• Amazon Kindle Edition
• Fakhry, Majid (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 225 Pages - 10/15/2013 (Publication Date) - Routledge (Publisher)

Check Price on Amazon

 

Causation in Early Modern Philosophy: Cartesianism, Occasionalism, and Preestablished Harmony

• Nadler, Steven (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 232 Pages - 10/07/2004 (Publication Date) - Pennsylvania State University Press (Publisher)

Check Price on Amazon

 

Analogy in Word-formation: A Study of English Neologisms and Occasionalisms (Trends in Linguistics. Studies and Monographs [TiLSM] Book 309)

• Amazon Kindle Edition
• Mattiello, Elisa (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 259 Pages - 05/22/2017 (Publication Date) - De Gruyter Mouton (Publisher)

Check Price on Amazon

 

One True Cause: Causal Powers, Divine Concurrence, and the Seventeenth-Century Revival of Occasionalism

• Hardcover Book
• Platt, Andrew R. (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 408 Pages - 08/21/2020 (Publication Date) - Oxford University Press (Publisher)

Check Price on Amazon

 

Occasionalism: Causation Among the Cartesians

• Hardcover Book
• Nadler, Steven (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 217 Pages - 01/07/2011 (Publication Date) - Oxford University Press (Publisher)

Check Price on Amazon

 

Causation and Cognition in Early Modern Philosophy (Routledge Studies in Seventeenth-Century Philosophy)

• Amazon Kindle Edition
• English (Publication Language)
• 368 Pages - 07/23/2019 (Publication Date) - Routledge (Publisher)

Check Price on Amazon

 

got Occasionalism? - Men's Flexfit Baseball Cap Hat, Red, Large/X-Large

• FEELS GREAT - Our hat is constructed from 63% Polyester, 34% Cotton, and 3% Spandex making this one of the most comfortable and soft hats on the market. With its patented flexfit stretch sweatband, this hat adjusts to the size of your head and keeps you feeling comfortable. There won't be any itch like feeling this hat we can tell you. It is our office favorite.
• FIT AND FUNCTION - Our mid-profile cap features 6 eyelets for breathability and a moisture absorbent spandex sweatband to keep you cool even on the hottest days. It has a strong buckrum sewn into the front of the 3 1/2" crown, 6 panels, and 8 rows of stitching that all help keep this hat in perfect form. We recommend checking our size chart as there are two sizes available for this great cap.
• A GREAT GIFT - This hat makes a wonderful gift for a Birthday, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas, or any gift giving holiday. It also makes an amazing wedding party gift for those bachelor or bachelorette parties, an office gift, a gift for your boss, or any other special occasion when you might just need something for a laugh.
• WHEN TO WEAR - Great for any present or occasion such as recreational sports, like softball, outdoor adventures, camping, jogging, or even a fun night on the town, a trip to your local dive bar, or anything where you don't see that "no hats" sign.

Check Price on Amazon

 

Introverted But Willing To Discuss Occasionalism - 20oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle, White

• WATER BOTTLES ARE COOL! - This is a 20oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle. With its nice smooth surface and comfortable circumference this fits perfectly in your hand. Enjoy your hydration with out water bottle!
• DURABLE AND STURDY - This water bottle is made of a premium quality stainless steel. It is thicker than most water bottles on the market making it sturdy and durable for everyday use.
• SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS - This water bottle is not microwave safe and it is not dishwasher safe. It is a hand wash only item. Hand washing this water bottle will make it last even longer!
• PERFECT FOR A GIFT - This is a great opportunity to give a gift for Valentine's Day, Christmas, Mother's day, Father's Day, Birthdays, Wedding Gifts, or any gift giving holiday. It is even great for groups, corporate events, office parties, home decor, restaurants and bars and more.

Check Price on Amazon

Last update 2020-06-17. Price and product availability may change.