History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps

Episode 483: Between Infinity and the Void: Blaise Pascal
Host: Peter Adamson
Date: December 28, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Peter Adamson explores the enigmatic figure of Blaise Pascal—a 17th-century polymath who stood at the crossroads of burgeoning scientific rationalism and fervent religious spirituality. Adamson examines Pascal’s scientific work on the vacuum, his pivotal religious experiences, and the deeply skeptical yet spiritually searching philosophy expressed in the Pensées. Throughout, Adamson uncovers the tensions and harmonies in Pascal’s life and thought, culminating in a philosophical investigation of the existential position “between infinity and the void.” The episode closes by setting up a deeper look at Pascal’s most famous argument, the Wager, for future discussion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pascal: Science and Faith in Conflict and Harmony

[00:14–05:30]

• Pascal epitomizes the religious fervor and scientific innovation of his era.
• Known both for his mathematical and scientific achievements (especially in fluid dynamics and the study of the vacuum) and for intensely spiritual writings after a profound mystical experience.
• “Pascal noticed it too, saying that he deliberately abandoned the sciences to study humankind.”
  (Adamson, 01:30)

Memorable Biographical Event:

• November 23, 1654: Pascal’s mystical experience, leading him to keep a “memorial” on his person and refocus on religious writing.

Miracle at Port Royal:

• The “miraculous” healing of Pascal’s niece with a relic at the Jansenist monastery further deepened his religious commitment and influenced his turn toward faith.

2. Scientific Inquiry: The Vacuum and the Barometer

[05:31–15:30]

• Pascal was pivotal in empirically demonstrating the reality of the vacuum, building on Torricelli’s experiments with mercury.
  • He innovated by using different fluids and vessel shapes and conducting public demonstrations.
  • Critics like Descartes and Etienne Noel posited the existence of “subtle matter” to avoid admitting a void.
  • Pascal’s retort:

    “We find more reason to deny its existence because it cannot be proved, than to believe in it for the sole reason that one cannot prove that it does not exist.”
    (Adamson quoting Pascal, 09:45)

The Famous Mountain Experiment:

• Pascal’s brother-in-law conducts the mercury experiment at varying altitudes, confirming that atmospheric pressure (the “weight of air”) causes the mercury level to change—a foundational insight for barometry.

Scientific Methodology:

• Emphasis on beginning with clear definitions and axioms (echoing Aristotle).
• Experiments matter, but principles hold primacy; if experiment and principle conflict, Pascal would question the experiment first.

  • “Experiments are the real masters that one should follow in physics.”
    (Adamson paraphrasing Pascal, 12:20)

  • Yet, “his confidence in principles outweighed... his confidence in experimental results.”
    (Adamson, 12:40)

3. Skepticism and the Limits of Reason

[15:31–26:30]

• Pascal develops a skeptical epistemology:
  • “People form their beliefs based on either reason or will, and will is by far the more common.”
    (Adamson, 16:15)
  • Dialogue with a friend: Pascal rejects both the excessive faith in reason (Epictetus/Stoicism) and the despairing skepticism of Montaigne. He charts a middle path acknowledging both grandeur and misery in human nature.

Pensées: Style and Aphorisms

• The Pensées is a collection of striking aphorisms, many reminiscent of Montaigne, but with its own original tone and skepticism about human self-knowledge.

  • Famous examples:

    “If Cleopatra’s nose had been shorter, the whole face of the earth would have changed.”
    (Adamson quoting Pascal, 19:20)
    “Being unable to ensure that force obeys justice. We have made it just to obey force.”
    “If everyone knew what was said about him, they would not be four friends in the world.”
    “Sneezing absorbs all the functions of the soul just as much as the sexual act.”
    “If a workman was sure of dreaming every night for 12 hours that he was king, I think he’d be almost as happy as a king who dreamt every night for 12 hours that he was a workman.”
    (Adamson quoting Pascal, 19:50–20:40)

• Pascal is critical of Montaigne’s style and self-involvement.

• Insight into human vanity:

  “We are more easily convinced, usually by reasons we have found by ourselves, than by those which have occurred to others.”
  (Adamson quoting Pascal, 22:10)

4. Faith Beyond Reason – The Heart’s Knowledge

[26:31–35:10]

• Pascal sees human reason as inherently limited and prone to contradiction, rarely persuasive even to ourselves.

  • Skeptical references to Descartes (regarded as dogmatic and over-ambitious).
  • “Descartes, useless and uncertain.” and “right against those who delve too deeply into the disciplines. Descartes.”
    (Adamson quoting Pascal, 27:45–28:10)

• True conviction arises from the “heart,” not rational argument.

  • Pascal: Rational proofs can only convince the mind—never enough for true faith.

  • “It is incomprehensible that God should exist, and incomprehensible that he should not…”
    (Adamson quoting Pascal, 30:00)

5. Human Wretchedness, Greatness, and the Existential Condition

[35:11–42:00]

• Pascal’s anthropology: Humans are characterized by a paradoxical greatness (consciousness of their own misery) and wretchedness (fallen, finite creatures).

  • “We want truth and find only uncertainty in ourselves. We search for happiness and find only wretchedness and death.”
    (Adamson quoting Pascal, 36:30)

• Humans are “suspended between the two gulfs of the infinite and the void.”
  (Adamson paraphrasing Pascal, 37:40)

Psychology of Restlessness and Boredom:

• Pascal critiques philosophical ideals of “ataraxia” (undisturbed calm), arguing that boredom, not anxiety, is our greater enemy.

  • “Philosophers consider it ridiculous that nobles spend all day hunting for a rabbit… The philosophers do not know that it is only the hunt, not the kill, they are looking for.”
    (Adamson quoting Pascal, 41:00)

  • Modern resonance: Adamson compares this to existentialist French philosophers of the 20th century.

6. Jansenism and the Doctrine of Original Sin

[42:01–45:20]

• Pascal’s intense religiosity is linked to Jansenism—a movement emphasizing human sinfulness (original sin) and the need for grace.
• Only Christianity, according to Pascal, fully acknowledges both the greatness and wretchedness of humankind—most poignantly in the doctrine of the Incarnation and original sin.

7. Pascal’s Wager: Setting Up the Next Episode

[45:21–End]

• Introduction to Pascal’s Wager: Belief in God is rationally preferable because the potential reward (if God exists) is infinite.
  • Adamson stresses:

    “Pascal claims not to be interested in rationally proving that God exists. His Wager is no exception… it only seeks to show us that it would be prudent to bet that he does.”
    (Adamson, 46:10)

  • Adamson comments wryly: “I have to admit I’ve never met one [philosopher] who was persuaded to believe in God on this basis.”
    (Adamson, 46:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:30 | Adamson | “Pascal noticed it too, saying that he deliberately abandoned the sciences to study humankind.” | | 09:45 | Pascal | “We find more reason to deny its existence because it cannot be proved, than to believe in it for the sole reason that one cannot prove that it does not exist.” | | 12:20 | Adamson/Paraphrase of Pascal | “Experiments are the real masters that one should follow in physics.” | | 16:15 | Adamson | “People form their beliefs based on either reason or will, and will is by far the more common.” | | 19:20 | Pascal | “If Cleopatra’s nose had been shorter, the whole face of the earth would have changed.” | | 22:10 | Pascal | “We are more easily convinced, usually by reasons we have found by ourselves, than by those which have occurred to others.” | | 27:45–28:10 | Pascal | “Descartes, useless and uncertain… right against those who delve too deeply into the disciplines. Descartes.” | | 30:00 | Pascal | “It is incomprehensible that God should exist, and incomprehensible that he should not…” | | 36:30 | Pascal | “We want truth and find only uncertainty in ourselves. We search for happiness and find only wretchedness and death.” | | 37:40 | Pascal/Paraphrase | “We are suspended between the two gulfs of the infinite and the void.” | | 41:00 | Pascal | “Philosophers consider it ridiculous that nobles spend all day hunting for a rabbit… The philosophers do not know that it is only the hunt, not the kill, they are looking for.” | | 46:10 | Adamson | “Pascal claims not to be interested in rationally proving that God exists. His Wager is no exception… it only seeks to show us that it would be prudent to bet that he does.” | | 46:45 | Adamson | “I have to admit I’ve never met one [philosopher] who was persuaded to believe in God on this basis.” |

Flow & Tone

Adamson’s tone is accessible, occasionally witty, and always well-informed. He weaves historical details and philosophical exposition with a light touch, finding apposite modern analogies (like existentialist Parisian cafes) and clarifying difficult concepts without jargon. He alternates seamlessly between narration, quotation, and pointed commentary.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode offers a compelling, thorough introduction to Blaise Pascal as both scientist and spiritual seeker. Adamson’s thoughtful distillation of Pascal’s experiments, skepticism about reason, and ultimately faith-driven outlook presents a portrait of a thinker who remains strikingly relevant. The discussion lays foundational context for the celebrated argument of Pascal’s Wager, which will be explored in the next installment.

Next episode: A deeper dive on Pascal’s Wager.