1657 – 1712
John Norris (1657-1712) was an English philosopher, theologian, and Anglican clergyman, best known as the leading English disciple of Nicolas Malebranche. He developed a Christian Platonist metaphysics that combined Cartesian rationalism with occasionalism, arguing that we see all things in God.
Authored 'An Essay Towards the Theory of the Ideal or Intelligible World' (1701-1704), the most systematic English exposition of Malebranchean metaphysics
Introduced and defended Malebranche's doctrine of vision in God to English-speaking audiences
Engaged in philosophical correspondence with Mary Astell on the love of God
Critiqued Locke's 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding' from a Platonist perspective
Developed a distinctive occasionalist account of causation and divine ideas