
For much of his life, Pascal (1623-62) worked on a magnum opus which was never published in the form the philosopher intended. Instead, Pascal left a mass of fragments, some of them meant as notes for the Apologie. These became known as the Pensées, and they occupy a crucial place in Western philosophy and religious writing. This translation is the only one based on the Pensées as Pascal left them. It includes the principal dossiers classified by Pascal, as well as the essential portion of his important Writings on Grace.
The core question investigated is how human reason and faith can be reconciled in the face of existential uncertainty and the limitations of the human condition. Blaise Pascal, a mathematician and physicist, utilizes his background in logic and scientific inquiry to construct a defense of the Christian faith. He argues that human existence is defined by a profound sense of wretchedness and greatness, which can only be resolved through divine grace. The text serves as a structured collection of fragments intended to persuade the skeptical mind of the necessity of belief.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars and philosophers regard this work as a foundational text in Western intellectual history, often noting the profound psychological insight present in Pascal's observations. Readers frequently highlight the density of the prose and the rigorous logical structure that underpins his theological arguments.
Page Count:
320
Publication Date:
1995-09-14
ISBN-10:
0192829904
ISBN-13:
9780192829900
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