Pascal: PENSÉES

Pascal ranks as one of the world’s truly great intellects. He was always busy doing things like inventing the world’s first known mechanical calculating machine, discovering the science of hydrostatics, and formulating the mathematical principles of probability theory. So what does a man like that have to say to ordinary people living ordinary lives? Surprisingly humble but sound wisdom: “…the sole cause of man’s unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room…because they do not enjoy staying at home.” That sounds like something parents or grandparents might say, but it sounds true. For all his scientific achievements Pascal is still a human being and knows very well what it is that human beings really want – they want to be happy. He puts it this way: “All men seek happiness. There are no exceptions. However different the means they may employ, they all strive toward this goal.”

If there are no exceptions, then we too are included. We may think that Pascal’s idea of happiness would surely be different from ours. Would the Einstein of his age find happiness the same way we do? Actually the answer is yes. For all the hustle and bustle people really just want to relax and be comfortable. St. Augustine once said that the heart is restless until it finds its rest in God. Pascal agrees. Pascal’s most famous observation is “The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing.” This seems a little strange coming from such a rational man. But Pascal doesn’t think we’ll find our happiness in God via the intellect. He explicitly states that “It is the heart which perceives God and not the reason. That is what faith is…” Even though Pascal spent his life in the rational realm of mathematics and science, in the end he turns to faith for solace. He believes true happiness comes from a heart turned toward God. He also says that “Telling a man to rest is the same as telling him to live happily.” Pascal equates staying at home, resting, and being content with happiness. Since there’s no permanent rest or home or happiness in this life we should direct our thoughts and efforts toward heaven.

How do we do that? First we need to know who we are in this world and where we belong in the state of nature. Pascal asks “…what is man in nature? A nothing compared to the infinite, a whole compared to the nothing, a middle point between all and nothing…Let us then realize our limitations. We are something and we are not everything.” Since we’re not all good and not all bad but in constant flux somewhere in between, Pascal thinks it would be wise to “…seek neither assurance nor stability…once that is clearly understood, I think that each of us can stay quietly in the state in which nature has placed him.” Very well then, once we realize our true place in nature we’ll give up the search for any permanent happiness this side of heaven. However, that doesn’t mean we should give up all worldly intellectual pursuits. Quite the contrary. Pascal affirms that “Man is only a reed, the weakest in nature, but he is a thinking reed…Thus all our dignity consists in thought…Let us then strive to think well…” If we can think clearly then we’ll acknowledge that our greatest chance for permanent happiness lies beyond this world. It can only be found in eternity with God.

But does God really exist? Given the limitations of mortal creatures can we ever be absolutely certain, one way or another? Unfortunately no. It’s the most important question we’ll ever ask and yet even a mind as great as Pascal’s can’t give a definite answer. It’s all one big gamble. But even though Pascal can’t prove that God exists, he thinks he can improve the odds we face when gambling in life’s greatest casino challenge: “How will you wager…you must wager. There is no choice…if you win, you win everything, if you lose you lose nothing. Do not hesitate then; wager that he does exist.” And if we’re right the payoff is eternal happiness.

--RDP