My Parody of Pascal’s Thoughts - Caroline Tucker

Pascal’s Thoughts were very interesting to read. After reading this chapter about Pascal’s thoughts I think it would be intriguing to be inside his head. 


I remember a Phineas and Ferb episode when the cast was inside Candice’s mind. I do not think it would be as fun as it looks in that episode. It would be interesting because Pascal thought about the very existence of humans and whether we are living in reality or in a dream. 


When reading Thoughts, the way Pascal words his thoughts leads me to believe that some of them are not what he believes. He is just mentioning them to rid them from his mind, to ponder them more, and to be a well-rounded philosopher. I believe this because he mentions thoughts that go against Christian beliefs but then says, “Humble yourself, weak reason; be silent, foolish nature; learn that man infinitely transcends man, and learn from your Master your true condition, of which you are ignorant. Hear God”(Pascal). 


Pascal also says, “Let us endeavor, then, to think well; this is the principle of morality.” He says that logic and reason are principles of morality. Does this mean that to be moral we must be logical and have thought? I do not know if there are exceptions. In my opinion, this is true. To have morals, we have to know what we believe, then logically, we have to think; thought leads to reason. 


I would like to thank you for reading my blog that is inspired and formatically inspired by Pascal’s Thoughts.

P.S. I commented on Josh’s and Hannah’s posts.

Comments

Owen said…
I too believe that his thoughts are quite intresting however I don't think he intended people to read them as is. They seem to make assumptions and he seems to be very Descartes in the way he thinks. I believe his thoughts were like a sort of personal journal he was keeping in order to remember what thoughts he still needs to flesh out.
Luke Killam said…
I love where you say that some of his words may not be what he believes, but just what he is trying to get off of his chest or out of his mind. You can see the internal struggle he deals with--his doubts and fears--and how he deals with them. Really in this diary of sorts he confesses them, and speaks to God of it. He stays humble even in his doubts, and admits where his reason is limited. I think someone with this approach with find truth whereas a prideful person won't.
Clabo said…
I really liked your post. And I didn't pick up on it, but you are completely right. I was as if he voiced some thoughts or opinions that he didn't agree with just to get them out of his head. I completely agree, it would have to have been a weird, complex place inside his head.
Drew Hedden said…
I agree with most of what you said, and you said it well. With that being said, I think the meaning behind the sentence that starts with "humble yourself" is to show that man's identity and reality is so deeply wrapped up in everything, especially thought, and also ties to the previously mentioned "paradox" of man- I think that sentence really brings home his point that man is not absolute, as that requires being one way or the other. Instead, man kills, but to avoid lawlessness, etc, etc. I could definitely be wrong though, and you do a good job defending your point.