Pensées
Introduction
Pensées is a collection of philosophical fragments, notes and essays written by the eminent French philosopher, Pascal. The work, which was published posthumously in 1670, is a profound and passionate examination of human nature, faith, and reason. It is considered one of the most influential works of French literature and a classic of Christian apologetics.
Background
Pascal began working on Pensées around 1656 during a period of ill health. He had been profoundly influenced by a religious experience in 1654, which led him to retreat from the world and live a life of asceticism. Pensées was not completed before his death in 1662, and it was his followers who collected his writings and published them eight years later.
Structure and Content
Pensées is not a systematic treatise but a collection of thoughts and reflections. It is divided into various sections, each dealing with different themes such as the misery of man without God, the greatness of man with God, and the necessity of the wager.
Misery of Man Without God
In this section, Pascal discusses the human condition in the absence of religious faith. He posits that without God, life is meaningless and filled with despair. He uses the metaphor of a shipwreck to describe the human condition, stating that man is only made aware of his misery when he is shipwrecked in a vast sea.
Greatness of Man With God
Pascal contrasts the misery of man without God with the greatness of man with God. He argues that faith in God imbues life with meaning and purpose. According to Pascal, the knowledge of God instills in man a sense of awe and reverence, elevating him above his natural state of misery.
The Necessity of the Wager
One of the most famous sections of Pensées is Pascal's Wager. Pascal argues that since the existence of God cannot be determined through reason, one must 'wager' on his existence. He posits that it is more beneficial to believe in God and be wrong than to disbelieve and be wrong. This argument has been widely discussed and critiqued in the field of philosophy of religion.
Influence and Reception
Pensées has had a significant impact on both religious and philosophical thought. It has been praised for its eloquence, depth, and originality. However, it has also been critiqued for its pessimistic view of human nature and its argument for belief in God based on a wager. Despite these criticisms, Pensées remains a seminal work in the Christian philosophical tradition.