HoP 490 Steven Nadler on Occasionalism

HoP 490 Steven Nadler on Occasionalism

Author: Peter Adamson April 5, 2026 Duration: 32:15
What inspired the occasionalist theory embraced by the 17th century Cartesians? We find out from a leading specialist on the topic.

Peter Adamson, Professor of Philosophy at the LMU in Munich and at King’s College London, takes listeners through the history of philosophy, ”without any gaps.” The series looks at the ideas, lives and historical context of the major philosophers as well as the lesser-known figures of the tradition. www.historyofphilosophy.net. NOTE: iTunes shows only the most recent 300 episodes; subscribe on iTunes or go to a different platform for the whole series.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
Podcast Episodes
HoP 480 Honorable Ignorance: French Skepticism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:30
So-called “libertines” like Mothe le Vayer revive ancient skepticism, provoking a backlash from Mersenne and Arnauld. Were they right to see the skeptics as anti-religious?
HoP 479 Gideon Manning on Cartesian Medicine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:57
An interview exploring Descartes' interest in medicine, how his medical ideas relate to his dualism, and his influence on medical science.
HoP 477 The Mind Has No Sex: Cartesianism and Gender [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:44
Why Cartesianism appealed to women and became the inspiration for a pioneering feminist, Poullain de la Barre; and why Cartesianism was not the only option for women philosophers of the age.
HoP 475 Ariane Schneck on Elisabeth and Descartes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:33
We finish our look at Elisabeth of Bohemia and Descartes by talking to Ariane Schneck about their correspondence, focusing on the mind-body problem and the passions.
HoP 473 As Rational As You: Elisabeth of Bohemia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:44
A royal scholar and philosopher sets aside the tribulations of her family to debate Descartes over the relation between mind and body and the nature of happiness.