Speciality Contemporary Philosophy
Library of the School of Science

2024-10-23

2024

Mouzakis Georgios

Χατζημωυσής Αντώνιος, Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Φιλοσοφίας της Επιστήμης, ΕΚΠΑ,
Στεφάνου Ιωάννης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, , Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Φιλοσοφίας της Επιστήμης, ΕΚΠΑ,
Βιρβιδάκης Στυλιανός, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, , Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Φιλοσοφίας της Επιστήμης, ΕΚΠΑ

Rational Certainty and Divine Illumination: Epistemological Contrasts between Descartes and Malebranche

English

Rational Certainty and Divine Illumination: Epistemological Contrasts between Descartes and Malebranche

This dissertation explores and compares the epistemological frameworks of René Descartes and Nicolas Malebranche, two key figures in the rationalist tradition. Descartes' epistemology, founded on radical doubt and the cogito, emphasizes the role of clear and distinct ideas obtained through introspection and methodological skepticism. His foundationalism seeks indubitable knowledge, starting from the self-evident truth of one's own existence. In contrast, Malebranche integrates Descartes' rationalism with Augustinian thought, positing that humans attain knowledge by perceiving ideas in the divine intellect, a process he terms "vision in God." This study examines how Malebranche's occasionalism and the notion of God's concurrence in human cognition address perceived limitations in Descartes' theory of mind-body interaction and epistemic certainty. Through a detailed analysis of primary texts and secondary literature, this dissertation highlights both the convergence and divergence in their approaches to the sources and certainty of knowledge; thus, informing ongoing debates about foundationalism, coherentism, infinitism and other theories of knowledge justification. While Descartes seeks epistemic certainty through autonomous human reason, Malebranche underscores the dependency on divine illumination. This comparative study not only elucidates the nuances of early modern rationalism but also contributes to broader contemporary discussions on the interplay between human cognition and divine involvement in the acquisition of knowledge, offering new insights into the evolution of rationalist thought. More importantly, Malebranche's occasionalism and his response to Descartes' dualism provide a historical perspective that can enrich current discussions on the mind-body problem, particularly in the context of physicalism, dual-aspect theories, and the role of consciousness.

Science

Philosophy - Psychology

Epistemology, Certainty, Knowledge, Judgment, Skepticism, Foundationalism, Rationalism, Internalism, Cogito, Clear and Distinct Ideas, Radical Doubt, Cartesian Circle, Methodological Skepticism, Innate Ideas, God as Guarantor, Divine Illumination, Occasionalism, Vision in God, Sensations, Efficacious Ideas, Divine Concurrence, Philosophy of Mind, Dualism, Causality, Metaphysics

Yes

1

No

189

86

File access is restricted until 2025-04-23.

https://pergamos.lib.uoa.gr/uoa/dl/object/3420894