A Companion to Pascal - (Blackwell Companions to Philosophy) by Yuval Avnur (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

An interdisciplinary exploration of Pascal's philosophy across theology, science, and political thought

Blaise Pascal has emerged as a central figure in early modern thought whose legacy transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. A Companion to Pascal addresses the growing scholarly need for an integrated perspective on his philosophy, bringing together essays by leading scholars that contextualize, analyze, and extend Pascal's work. It offers a wide-ranging and in-depth examination of Pascal's multifaceted intellectual contributions that enables readers to progressively build and apply knowledge across the disciplines Pascal influenced, ranging from theology and mathematics to epistemology and political philosophy.

The Companion opens by situating Pascal within his intellectual milieu--his interactions with Augustinian theology, his responses to Montaigne and Descartes, and his involvement with the Port-Royal community. Parts II and III move into Pascal's technical contributions, including his foundational role in probability and physics and his unique epistemological stance. Subsequent sections examine Pascal's rhetorical strategies and religious commitments alongside his political and ethical views. The final part assesses Pascal's enduring influence, tracing his impact through figures such as Søren Kierkegaard, William James, and Pierre Duhem.

A vital resource for those seeking an understanding of Pascal's philosophical outlook and enduring legacy, A Companion to Pascal:

• Presents a unique interdisciplinary approach to Pascal that spans philosophy, theology, science, literature, and political thought
• Offers new perspectives on Pascal's engagement with Descartes, Montaigne, and Augustine
• Explores lesser-known dimensions of Pascal's work, such as his influence on phenomenology and Marxist theory
• Analyzes the philosophical implications of Pascal's scientific and mathematical innovations
• Includes focused chapters on Pascal's Wager, logic, epistemology, and his views on grace and predestination

With a comprehensive structure that allows both thematic and chronological exploration of Pascal's thought, A Companion to Pascal is ideal for advanced students and scholars in philosophy, theology, history of science, and French literature. It is particularly valuable for university-level courses in Early Modern Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, and Intellectual History, and serves as an essential reference for academics, educators, and interdisciplinary researchers.

About the Author

Yuval Avnur is Professor of Philosophy at Scripps College, Claremont. His research focuses on epistemology and early modern philosophy, with a particular interest in skepticism and religion. Avnur has published widely on these issues, and is author of The Skeptic and the Veridicalist and Why Read Pascal Today? He is also editor of Midwest Studies in Philosophy and co-editor of Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings.

Roger Ariew is Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy at the University of South Florida. A leading scholar of Descartes and Cartesianism, Ariew is the author of Descartes Among the Scholastics, Descartes and the First Cartesians, and co-author of Historical Dictionary of Descartes and Cartesian Philosophy.