Thoughts on Religion and Other Themes: Thoughts on Religion and Other Themes

Author: Pascal
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-02-01
Features: This book is one of the "Translated World Academic Classics Series." It inherits and carries forward the rationalist tradition, using reason to critique everything, while also pointing out the inherent contradictions and limitations of reason itself. Through what is known as the "Pascal Method," it examines human nature and numerous theoretical issues such as the world, life, society, history, philosophical knowledge, and religious belief. The book is interspersed with elements of dialectical thought and is shrouded in a pessimistic agnosticism. Outside of Descartes' rationalist trend, it takes a unique approach. On one hand, it inherits and develops the rationalist tradition, using reason to critique all things. On the other hand, under the guiding idea that all truths necessarily present themselves in the form of contradictions, it points out the inherent contradictions and boundaries of reason itself. Using his unique method of revealing contradictions, known as the "Pascal Method," it begins with the opposition of two extreme concepts—he being the founder of modern limit concepts—and examines theoretical issues such as human nature, the world, life, society, history, philosophical knowledge, and religious belief. The book is both infused with elements of dialectical thought and heavily enveloped in a pessimistic agnosticism.