Abstract:
This paper aims to examine the notion of representation that emerges from development of Malebranche’s thesis of the vision of ideas in God. To do so, we turn to the progressive clarification made by the author to the term idea, seeking to highlight the radically representative character of the concept. We then analyze how this representative idea, in the philosophy of the Oratorian, does not require some correspondence with existence. Finally, we show how this primacy of representation is articulated with the thesis of vision in God. Thus, it becomes possible to conceive how these representative ideas can give the foundation to a true science.
Keywords:
Nicolas Malebranche; Idea; Knowledge; Representation; Vision in God