A review by res_curans
Pensées by Blaise Pascal

5.0

Lots of potent quotables — should have been going through with a highlighter. Interesting how the “wager” is what gets all the press, when what sets the stage for it is at least as important: observations and arguments why reason alone is insufficient to justify faith in God. Part of this has to do with the hiddenness of God, and part with the limitations and weaknesses of reason itself. I’ve heard Pascal called both a Calvinist and an existentialist before— for the first, while he is sympathetic to a lot of Calvinist theology, he still holds some allegiance to the Catholic church despite its problems, and openly critiques Calvin at one point. For the second, it seems true to me insofar as he insists on the importance of experience and that philosophy must be practical. A little difficult to navigate due to its fragmented structure, but still an excellent read; will revisit in the future.