Single Idea 11944

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 4. Occasionalism]

Full Idea

Rule occasionalists (Arnauld, Bayle) say that on their view the results of God's action are the nomic regularities of nature, and not a miracle.

Clarification

'Nomic' means following laws

Gist of Idea

Rule occasionalism says God's actions follow laws, not miracles

Source

George Molnar (Powers [1998], 6.1)

Book Reference

Molnar,George: 'Powers: a study in metaphysics', ed/tr. Mumford,Stephen [OUP 2003], p.104


A Reaction

This is clearly more plausible that Malebranche's idea that God constantly intervenes. I take it as a nice illustration of the fact that 'laws of nature' were mainly invented by us to explain how God could control his world. Away with them!