Blaise Pascal Research Articles

У. Джеймс и С. Франк: две интерпретации «пари Паскаля»

Blaise Pascal is considered one of the most influential thinkers of his time, and his questions about the nature and position of man in the world remain relevant to this day. Pascal’s famous wager continues to be a subject of discussion among thinkers of various orientations. This article analyzes two interpretations of Pas­cal’s famous argument in defense of religious faith – those of W. James and S.L. Frank. By examining both thinkers’ interpretations of Pascal’s Wager, the article highlights the distinctive perspectives of W. James and S.L. Frank on the concept of religious experience. The basis for this comparison is the re­ception of W. James’s philosophical and religious ideas by the Russian philo­sopher. James’s ideas were relevant during the Russian religious renaissance of the early 20th century, receiving both positive reviews and criticism. The author of the article identifies similarities and differences in the two interpretations of Pascal’s Wager, which allows for a deeper understanding of the philosophical spirit of both W. James and S.L. Frank. It is emphasized that the views of the Ame­rican pragmatist and the ideological interpretation of the wager by the Russian philosopher share a particular approach to the concept of religious experience. Turning to the ideas of W. James and S.L. Frank provides a foundation for as­serting that, on the ground of the domestic intellectual tradition, both religious experience and religious philosophy are “integrated” into the philosophy of com­munication, transcending purely religious thought

THOUGHTS, MAXIMS, CHARACTERS: FRAGMENTATION AS A PRINCIPLE OF MORAL NARRATIVE IN THE 17TH CENTURY FRENCH LITERATURE

The article is devoted to the understanding of the aesthetic phenomenon of the 17th century French literature, which consists in the close connection of the fragmentary form with the ethical content of discourse. The corpus of aphoristic texts created in 1656–1697, i.e. the books “Thoughts” by Blaise Pascal, “Maxims” by François de La Rochefoucauld, as well as “Characters or Mores of the present century” by Jean de La Bruyère are chosen as the object of research. In the process of work we systematise the methods of analysing this phenomenon in the Western and Russian traditions: the “cratylist” approach (Gilbert Romeyer Dherbey and Jean Starobinski), the “medical” method (Louis Van Delft, Mariya Neklyudova), “new publishing schemes” (Emmanuel Bury), as well as “secular” (Robert Garapon). We note the influence of topics which has established itself as a method of scientific discourse and gnomic genres of a didactic nature. In the result, we show that the French aphoristic texts of the 17th century clearly differ from the previous tradition by an attitude towards anthropological aestheticism and the absence of a didactic purpose.

Blaise Pascal and the Platonic Heart

Abstract The article analyzes the concept of the heart in Blaise Pascal’s (1623–62) Pensées in the context of the Platonic tradition. Augustine (354–430) is described as the main author who mediated to Pascal Plotinus’s view of nous as the intuitive and integrative faculty, superior to discursive and conceptual reason, which can be, ultimately, identified with Pascal’s coeur. The heart in Pascal’s philosophy is seen as the response to his diagnosis of modernity as the fallen, fragmented, and polarized mode of consciousness. From that perspective, Pascal’s opposition against that fragmented and polarized consciousness of reality, divorced from the Christian Platonic holistic and contemplative vision, can also be seen in the context of his criticism of the Jesuits as the representatives of that emerging, modern worldview.

Jesuits, Jansenists, and the Culture Wars

Abstract This introductory article explores the relevance of studying the Jesuit-Jansenist conflict in early modern France against the broader background of modernity as such and its inherent problems with fragmentation, isolation, and polarization in all areas of culture. It begins with a reference to the particular use of the study of early modernity and its religious and sociopolitical problems by the two prominent dissidents of the twentieth century, Leszek Kołakowski (1927–2009) and Jan Patočka (1907–77), in order to draw some potential parallels between the contemporary “culture wars” and the conflict between the Jesuits and the Jansenists. The contributions, stemming from a conference held at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań in March 2023, celebrating the four-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Blaise Pascal, shed light on various aspects of classical culture, education, tradition, and innovation in the areas of theatre, music, and philosophy in seventeenth-century France.

Rare Editions of Blaise Pascal in the Collections of the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The Research Department of Rare Books of the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences holds valuable copies of early editions of the religious and philosophical works by Blaise Pascal (1623—1662). The article considers the copies of Pascal’s rare editions in the context of the history of publication of his works, the formation of book collections, of which the department’s collection was comprised, first of all the original one, as well as the Mikhalkov collection and the library of the Roman Catholic Theological Academy.

Editar os Pensamentos de Pascal: considerações históricas e análise da edição de Alain Cantillon

The posthumous discovery of Blaise Pascal’s writings on Christianity posed a challenge for his family and friends: how should these writings be edited? The present work makes a brief inquiry into this challenge and offers an overview of the main editions of Pascal’s Pensées since the Seventeenth century, including that of Allain Cantillon, published in 2023. The purpose of the present work, therefore, encompasses the following steps: (I) some historical remarks concerning the task of editing Pensées, (II) an overview of its main editions, and finally (III and IV) a description and analysis of Cantillon’s editorial proposal.

Восприятие Блеза Паскаля и его наследия советской официальной культурой 1920–1930-х гг.

The perception of Blaise Pascal by the official Soviet culture of the 1920–1930s has not yet become the subject of a special study. At a new historical turn, the scientific and spiritual legacy of the French thinker was inevitably subject to revision. The authors set themselves the task of revealing the peculiarities of constructing the image of Pascal and interpreting his ideas in the society of mass intellectual culture. The main material for the article was information about Pascal, which a Soviet citizen could obtain from encyclopedic dictionaries, textbooks, popular science articles and periodicals. It is concluded that the personality and works of the French genius of the 17th century were important in arranging a dialogue between the new Soviet culture and traditional European culture in general, and the French culture in particular. In the 1920–1930s the “Soviet traditionalism” was emerging, i. e. the practice of the Soviet state to create boundaries of loyalty for traditionalism, which, first of all, affects intellectual culture. The European bourgeois culture and the specific case of Pascal were inscribed into the new coordinates. The “boundaries of loyalty” set for the legacy of the French genius brought to the fore Pascal the scientist and Pascal the philosophizing writer. The emphasis on the Descartes/Pascal opposition, which reflects the spiritual, philosophical, cultural and ideological conflicts of the new Soviet state, is meaningful. In this conflict, Pascal became a kind of “hidden man”, whose spiritual experience is disguised under the proclaimed atheistic mundanity. However, the essence of the internal structure of Pascal’s personality turns out to be close to the asceticism and anti-bourgeois nature of the Soviet culture. Pascal becomes a role model for the Soviet people in terms of shaping themselves on the path to a bright and just society.

Some Identities on Generalized Arithmetic Triangles

Summary We generalize the arithmetic triangle of Blaise Pascal, Yang Hui, and others, by maintaining its recurrence relation, but replacing the traditional 1s on the boundary with arbitrary sequences. Within these structures, we examine some identities commonly studied in Pascal’s version, including those related to sums and alternating sums of entries in rows as well as the so-called hockey stick identities. We use recurrence relations and elementary generating functions to derive general results and see how these results can be used in some interesting special cases.

Understanding Existence. Heidegger Reader of Pascal

The aim of this article is to show the crucial role of Blaise Pascal’s work for the development of Martin Heidegger’s early philosophical project – which lasted until the Turn [Kehre] of the 1930s. The scattered but decisive presence of quotes from the French thinker clearly shows how fundamental he was, both methodologically and content-wise, for Heidegger’s initial elaboration of the question of Being [Seinsfrage] and the Existential Analytic of Dasein [Daseinanalytik].

Le clair-obscur pascalien – de la Révélation au nihilisme

This article explores the concept of divine revelation as presented by Blaise Pascal, examining the fundamental dichotomy between the hidden and revealed aspects of God. Beginning with the premise of human existence as inherently obscure and lost in the universe without apparent reason, the study delves into Pascal’s inquiry into the origins of human existence and the role of God as both a part of and apart from this primordial darkness. Pascal’s reflections on the incomprehensibility of man before that of God highlight a foundational obscurity, setting the stage for a deeper investigation into the nature of divine revelation. The article contrasts Pascal’s perspective with traditional theological and philosophical views, particularly in relation to the manifest nature of God as commonly interpreted through natural phenomena. It further delves into Pascal’s interpretation of scriptural passages, notably Isaiah 45:15, emphasizing the notion of Deus Absconditus (Hidden God) and its critical role in understanding the paradoxical nature of divine revelation. The article examines how Pascal perceives God’s manifestation through various historical and mystical dimensions, including nature, the Incarnation, and the Eucharist, each revealing God while simultaneously concealing Him.

Il «Scio cui credidi» pascaliano. Il senso di un sigillo

This article delves into Blaise Pascal’s religious philosophy, focusing on his use of the phrase “Scio cui credidi” (I know whom I have believed) to explore his understanding of faith. It analyzes Pascal’s “Memorial” and the “Summary of the Life of Jesus Christ”, highlighting how Christ is central to Pascal’s belief system. The discussion reveals the transformational nature of Pascal’s faith, particularly after his mystical experience on November 23, 1654. This experience is crucial in understanding his shift from a philosophical to a deeply personal, Christ-centered faith. The article underscores Pascal’s journey from a scientific and philosophical perspective to an intimate, emotional resonance with Christian faith, demonstrating how his personal encounters with the divine profoundly shaped his religious perspective.

Fausses fenêtres : Étienne Pascal et Étienne Noël, saint Augustin et Jean Duvergier de Hauranne

This article examines the philosophical and theological nuances in the works of Étienne Pascal and Étienne Noël, focusing on their interpretations of Saint Augustine and Jean Duvergier de Hauranne. It explores the concept of antithesis (ἀντίθεσις) in both rhetorical and philosophical contexts, drawing upon Platonic and Aristotelian texts. The article highlights the use of antithesis in Augustine’s explanation of evil and its integration into the universal order, connecting this to 17th-century French thought, especially in relation to Blaise Pascal’s ideas on rhetoric. A critical analysis of Étienne Pascal’s letter to Father Noël is presented, emphasizing his understanding of rhetorical figures, notably metaphor and antithesis, and their theological implications. The discussion extends to Saint-Cyran’s interpretation of Augustine, particularly concerning ecclesiastical guidance and priesthood preparation. The article concludes by underscoring the complex interplay between language, thought, and faith in these historical contexts.

O silêncio das coisas (outra vez...) e a solidão

This article provides a critical reexamination of Blaise Pascal’s fragment on the “eternal silence of infinite spaces”, challenging the conventional objections, notably those by Paul Valéry. It presents an analytical journey through the philosophical and existential dimensions of Pascal’s text, exploring the unique interplay between human solitude and cosmic silence. The discussion navigates the intricate relationship between individual perception and the overarching sense of existential dread evoked by the universe’s vastness. This exploration is enriched by contrasting Pascal’s insights with broader philosophical contexts, including references to Kierkegaard and the concept of the ‘music of the spheres’. Ultimately, the paper offers a nuanced interpretation of Pascal’s work, emphasizing its enduring relevance in understanding the human condition within the unfathomable expanse of the universe.

Suficiente luz y suficientes sombras. Descripción fenomenológica de la muerte de Cristo en los escritos de Blaise y Jacqueline Pascal

Le Mystère de la mort de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, by Jacqueline Pascal, constitutes a work of interest, in which not only the literary virtues of Blaise Pascal’s sister are reflected, but also a glimpse of her “phenomenological” capacity. After an approach to the biography of this 17th century author, an analysis of the work and its philosophical and theological scope, in connection with the writings of Blaise Pascal, is presented, as a reference to her genius and the impact of the influence of Port-Royal’s thought.

A XIVth century approach to the points problem

The application of expected value as the first decision-theoretical criterion for evaluating risky lotteries is traditionally attributed to the 1654 correspondence between Pierre de Fermat and Blaise Pascal. However, an anonymous author of the XVth century Italian manuscript stored in the Vatican Apostolic Library calculated expected value by backward induction in a similar way to Pascal’s approach. This note argues that an even earlier anonymous XIVth century Italian manuscript calculates expected value by a different method resembling the direct rule (regula recta) described in 1202 by Leonardo of Pisa (Fibonacci) in his Liber Abaci as borrowed from the Arabs.

„Orbii care cântă cântece cu poveşti şi minuni” sau despre intertextualitate la Cervantes şi Homer

In this article I deal with some small fragments from the renowned novel Don Quixote by the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. I argue that significant connections can be established with the universe of the Homeric epics and, subsidiarily, with a passage from the writings of the French philosopher Blaise Pascal. These connections represent, by definition, the level of intertextuality, particularly challenging the imagination of those who approach and let themselves be conquered by the universe of the most famous errant knight. Intertextuality is a central concept in the theory of literature, without being limited to this – it is applicable to various other artistic fields: cinematography, music, architecture, sculpture, painting, etc. This concept has been proposed and developed during the second half of the 20th century, through the founding contributions of specialists and thinkers such as Julia Kristeva (1969, 1974), Gérard Genette (1982), or Michael Riffaterre (1971, 1979).

Ten Points on a Cubic

The 16-year old Blaise Pascal found an incidence relation that holds when six points lie on a conic. A century later, Braikenridge and Maclaurin extended Pascal’s result to a straightedge construction that characterizes when six points lie on a conic. Nearly 400 years later, we develop a straightedge construction to check whether ten points lie on a cubic curve.

The Existential Basis of Contemporary Art

Existentialism affirms the immutability of the personality, which no social or natural phenomenon, no "essence" can touch. Man is condemned to be free and therefore condemned to act by choosing the being he wants. Existentialism is Christianity without God: man finds himself alone in a world that is both too big and too small: this concept is similar to that of the Baroque religious figure Blaise Pascal in his thoughts, but without any religious dimension. All that remains is to fill one’s life with knowledge. The novels and plays of Albert Camus illustrate this problem perfectly: man is what he chooses to be. Man is always outside himself, he is forced to exist by projecting and losing himself from himself, and on the other hand he can exist by pursuing transcendental goals; man is this overcoming and understands objects only in relation to them and to this overcoming, is at the centre of this overcoming. There is no other universe than the human universe, the universe of human subjectivity. This statement of human subjectivity is in direct contradiction to the dialectical materialist concept of consciousness as grey matter reflecting the general movement of consciousness.

The mystery of man in the teachings of Blaise Pascal: between mysticism and rationality

The article explores an anthropological essence of Blaise Pascal's philosophical views along with their analysis in the context of his personal being and also of common directions in the Modern Age intellectual and philosophical movement. An unbreakable connection between Pascal's ideas and setting cartesian scientific and philosophical world-outlook is shown here, as well as some cardinal differencies of his thoughts on nature, significance and perspectives for human being from pure rationalistic treatings of these problems. The main anthropological work of Pascal ("Pensees") is charaterised under the angle of its structure and method. The comparison of reception and evaluation of Pascal' and Socrates' personalities and ideas by the modern European philosophers (W. Windelband, E. Kassirer) and Russian religious thinkers (B.P. Vysheslavtzev, S.S. Glagolev) provided here. It is shown that in his reasonings on human being, wich are traditionally considered as religous and mystical, Pascal keeps some faithfullness towards "geometric spirit" of cartesian philosophy. It is manifestated by using of mathematical terminologies and also by constructing of phenomenological topica of human existing. The last one must be charaterised as vector determinanta or as intentional existence. The principal attention is given to concepts of love and heart with stressing that Pascal realised his specific method of exploring the human being problems through these intuitive and existential symbols in "world - self - being" triada. In conclusion it is determined that Pascal's anthropological ideas as presented in "Pensees" are to be considered as some christian apologetic experience (according to author's personal intentions) and also as one of the foundings of contemporary philosophical anthropology (due to their principially critical primal points).

Jean Pecquet (1622–1674). To the 400th anniversary of the birth

The article is dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding French anatomist, physician and philosopher Jean Pecquet (1622–1674). Pecquet’s biography is connected with the city of Dieppe, where the future scientist was born and got his primary education, and with Paris, where he made his main discoveries in anatomy. Throughout his life, Pecquet collaborated with many prominent scientists of that time (Jacques Mentel, Louis Gayant, Jean Riolan (the Younger)), including not only physicians and anatomists, but also physicists such as Blaise Pascal, Edme Mariotte, Marin Mersenne and Evangelista Torricelli. Pecquet’s most famous discovery is the chyle cictern, or cisterna chyli. The structure was named after of the scientist – “Pecquet’s reservoir (cistern)”. But more revolutionary discovery made by Pecquet is revealing and proving the fact that the lymphatic ducts flow into the superior vena cava indirectly through the venous angles and refuting the conventional opinion on the drainage of lymph into the liver. An important help in Pecquet’s anatomical research and experiments was his passion for the physical and mathematical sciences. In collaboration with Edme Marriott, Pecquet studied the structure of the eyeball and turned out to be more foresighted, because, unlike Marriott, he correctly understood the role of the retina in the functioning of the eye as an organ of vision. Pecquet was one of William Harvey’s supporters regarding his concept of blood circulation. He introduced cutting-edge at that moment technologies into the anatomy methodology, including animal experiments in vivo, and made a fateful contribution to the progress of anatomical science.