Leibniz against occasionalism. The struggle for the autonomy of reason
Abstract
The controversy between Leibniz and Malebranche regarding the relationship between substances is addressed. Four hypotheses are proposed to explain this interaction: physical influence (scholasticism), immediate divine assistance (occasionalism, Malebranche), identity (Spinoza), and prior harmony (Leibniz). Leibniz's critical position regarding the other three hypotheses is explained. Regarding the first hypothesis, Leibniz and Malebranche agree that it is not viable. Leibniz's critique of Malebranche's occasionalism (second hypothesis) and Spinoza's substantialist monism (third hypothesis) are explained. And finally it is analyzed, from the hypothesis of prior harmony (fourth hypothesis), the way in which Leibniz takes advantage of the dispute with occasionalism, both in Malebranche's version and in Pierre Bayle's, to claim the autonomy of reason in the field of second causes. The notion of the nature of things, the principle of diversity and the principle of sufficient reason play a fundamental role in this.
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