History of Philosophy Workshop: Sean Greenberg, "Prolegomena to a Future Systematic Interpretation of Malebranche"

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to lay the groundwork for a contextual and systematic interpretation of the philosophy of Malebranche, that is, an interpretation of Malebranche that reflects his overarching philosophical aims. I begin by sketching the general approach to Malebranche in English-language scholarship produced during the Malebranche renaissance of the past thirty years. I then outline a systematic approach to Malebranche’s philosophical project that is meant to do more justice to the ‘big picture’ of Malebranche’s philosophy than work hitherto undertaken. I conclude by briefly explaining the philosophical significance of examining the ‘big picture’ of Malebranche’s philosophy.