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Blaise Pascal, 2006.
An overview of the life and career of seventeenth century mathematical genius, Blaise Pascal.
1,317 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the life history of Blaise Pascal, born in France in 1662 and who died at the age of 39 from stomach cancer. The paper examines some of the great contributions made by Pacale to the maths field, including the first mathematical device, the creation of "Pascale's Triangle" and his theory of probability and causes.
Paper Outline:
A Genius is Born
Pascal's Education
Acceptance by the Mathematical Community
The Development of the Adding Machine and Other Experiments
Pascal's Triangle
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper
"When he turned fourteen, Pascal began to accompany his father to weekly geometrical discussions with what would later become the French Academy. The geometricians at these meetings included Roberval, Mersenne, Mydorge, Carcavi, Auzout, Mylon, Desargues and other's. The meetings were held at the home of Mersenne. Mersenne was a member of a religious order called the Minims. This is important, because later in his life Pascal would abandon math to study religion for several years."
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Blaise Pascal, 2002.
This paper examines the life of French mathematician Blaise Pascal, also a philosopher, writer, physicist,and Christian apologist.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how Pascal's study of mathematics and geometry helped lead to the invention of hydraulics, resulting in such modern innovations as the hydraulic press and medical syringe. The author explores Pascal's discoveries on probability, which resulted in gambling methodology and laid the foundation for statistics and insurance analysis. The author concludes that Pascal's growing religious convictions, later in his short life, included an attempt to strengthen traditional faith by applying the rational thought of modern science.
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Pascal?s Wager, 2005.
This paper discusses Blaise Pascal's "wager", a fundamental philosophical argument defending belief in God.
1,200 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, through logical analysis based on a punishment-reward premise, Pascal shows that believing in God is preferable to not believing. The author points out that the argument is called a "wager" because Pascal phrases it as a sort of bet: The individual has a better chance of being rewarded through belief than through denial; therefore, Pascals' wager defends belief in God through reason and appeal to basic self-interest rather than through theological or mystical proofs. The paper states that, although Pascal's theory is compelling and cleverly worded, the wager has several rhetorical and logical flaws: For example, Pascal's vision is overtly monotheistic and his worldview is essentially dualistic; however, Pascal would not admit to the possibility of multiple Gods because the philosopher's stance was rooted in Christian apologetic literature.
From the Paper
"Ironically, to promote belief in a Christian God, Pascal avoids a direct discussion of Christian theology. Doing so strengthens the appearance of logic and underscores the statistical evidence that Pascal uses to promote theism. However, the absence of any real appeal to mysticism or to matters of the heart ends up weakening the wager. Pascal neglects what could be powerful appeals to emotion, which are essential to most compelling arguments. Also, although Pascal avoids a direct discussion of Christian theology, the philosopher cannot help but insert phrases like "eternal life and happiness," which are written to stimulate an emotional response in the reader. Betting on God brings "eternal life and happiness," according to Pascal, and therefore, no reasonable sane person would not believe in God."
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The Pascal's Triangle, 2004.
This paper discusses the life of Blaise Pascal and Pascal's Triangle.
1,210 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the mathematical formula known as "Pascal's Triangle" was simultaneously discovered centuries before Pascal by the Chinese and the Persians; it was even mentioned by Omar Khayyam centuries before Pascal. Pascal, however, one of the world's most famous mathematicians, was the first "modern" mathematician to realize the true potential of the formula and apply it. The author points out that Pascal's Triangle contributed to the understanding of probabilities, which led to the development of "average gain" or "probable gain" formulas that are still used extensively in business and industry. The paper relates that there is one problem with Pascal's formula: as the numbers increase, the triangle takes much longer to solve, and the formula becomes ungainly, but mathematicians have learned to cope with the formula and have created alternates that let them work with the numbers more effectively. Formula included.
From the Paper
"The mathematical formula known as "Pascal's Triangle" has long been attributed to the great mathematician and philosopher, Blaise Pascal, who lived in France during the 17th century. Pascal only lived to be thirty-nine years old, but during his lifetime, he made significant achievements in mathematics and philosophy, and may be most well known for the mathematical formula of Pascal's Triangle, which he did not invent, but has long received credit for inventing. Pascal was a bright child, who created the first known type of automatic calculator at the age of nineteen, and invented the modern-day barometer before he turned thirty-one."
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"The Pensees", 2007.
An analysis of "The Pensees", by Blaise Pascal.
1,285 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses how Blaise Pascal characterizes the existence of God as man's search for truth and knowledge about His real being. The paper explores how, by means of defending the Christian belief against those who persecutes and criticize, he later re-affirms this argument by offering several proofs that god really exists. The paper concludes that, even with the non-completion of "The Pensee"s due to Pascal's death, it has served its primary motive and has brought forth all the messages and lessons that Blaise Pascal wanted to convey in his notes.
From the Paper
"In Pascal's arguments about religion, the existence of God and Christianity directly complement the core idea of the Pensees. That is to stand in defense of the Christian Faith. His line of reasoning on religion utters in evidences and proofs that God exists. The God in the Penesees refers to the God of the Christians and other religion which believes that there is a Divine Being that created the world. Pascal describes religion as part of man's duty to seek his God."
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Blaise Cendrars and Modern Travel, 2007.
An analysis of the theme of modern travel in the poems "Trans-Siberian Prose and Little Jeanne from France" and "Easter in New York" by Blaise Cendrars.
3,715 words (approx. 14.9 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 102.95
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Abstract
The paper reveals that Blaise Cendrars was one of the first writers to interpret modern travel through poetry. In his poems "Trans-Siberian Prose and Little Jeanne from France" and "Easter in New York", Cendrars illustrates a thoughtful human reaction to rapid travel, modernity and the human experience within these new areas. The paper is of the opinion that Cendrars, as one of the first poets to discuss modernity in his poetry, plays an important role in the ongoing cycle of human culture and understanding. The paper demonstrates how both poems, through intense imagery, use of place, metaphor and strong motifs, more than adequately express a vision of modernity in Blaise Cendrars' world.
From the Paper
"While the first of the poems may appear to be a glorified travelogue of the author's possibly fictional trip across Asia, it still stands to represent the modern changes in the late 1800s and early 1900s. "Easter in New York," conversely, might be criticized as mocking Christians or Christian religion, though it is intended to illustrate the changes in modern religion through a discourse of change in tradition and Christian ideals. Cendrars, in accordance with the theories of Foucoult, successfully fulfills the role of author by producing these two poems; he not only creates art that is a mirror of the modern changes in travel and the world, but he also becomes an object of the modern world that he illustrates."
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Philosophical Influences on the Founding Fathers, 2006.
Examines the scientific developments of Blaise Pascal, and the opposing philosophies of Locke and Rousseau and how these philosophies influenced America's founding fathers.
2,757 words (approx. 11.0 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 82.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the great minds of the Age of Enlightenment and their influence on Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. The paper looks at the scientific developments of Blaise Pascal as well as the philosophies of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke and explains how these great thinkers of the Age of Reason helped America's forefathers create the society of America today.
From the Paper
"When he turned fourteen, Pascal began to accompany his father to weekly geometrical discussions with what would later become the French Academy. The geometricians at these meetings included Roberval, Mersenne, Mydorge, Carcavi, Auzout, Mylon, Desargues and other's. The meetings were held at the home of Mersenne. Mersenne was a member of a religious order called the Minims. This is important, because later in his life Pascal would abandon math to study religion for several years."
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Teaching Philosophy, 2007.
This paper discusses the beliefs of William James, Blaise Pascal and Immanuel Kant on the means and methods of teaching.
950 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
The paper examines William James' belief that any person can succeed, provided he/she is given the correct opportunities and motivation by a good teacher. The paper then discusses how Blaise Pascal took a less empowering view of the individual's abilities, believing the teacher must provide guidance about the child's natural inclinations and tastes. The paper also looks at how Immanuel Kant focuses on training the mind, attempting to give the student the intellectual tools to reason and learn on his/her own.
From the Paper
"William James' view of the correct means and methods of teaching places a tremendous amount of empowerment in the hands of the student. James' expressed views reflect the American belief that any person can succeed, provided that person is given the correct opportunities and motivation by a good teacher. This is reflected in James' anecdote, chronicled in his Principles of Psychology, of the boy who was prodded to learn to read, because of his natural curiosity about interesting pictures in a book. The boy's father teased his son with the prospect of learning about the pictures, telling the boy he must learn on his own, thus the boy becomes motivated to read because "An artificial and indirect desire" to read had been "grafted on a natural and direct one" to learn about the pictures (James 290-291)."
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The Existence of God, 2004.
An examination of the thoughts of influential thinkers like W. K. Clifford, William James, Blaise Pascal, and William P. Alston regarding the existence of God.
1,583 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 51.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at how W. K. Clifford's "The Ethics of Belief", William James's "The Will to Believe", Blaise Pascal's "The Wager" ,and William P. Alston's "A Philosopher's Way Back to the Faith" all give different arguments about the existence of God. It discusses how, while each argument is interesting and constructive, William James?s argument for the individual right to believe or not to believe seems to be the most workable of all of the lines of thought noted here.
From the Paper
"The super-dominance argument is simply a form of a two by two table, with the condition that God exists or does not exist matched with either your belief in God or your failure to believe in God. If you believe in God, and he exists you receive an infinite reward. If you believe in God, and he does not exist, then you receive a finite amount of happiness because of the comfort of religion while you are alive (which Pascal sets at about 250 units). If you do not believe in God, and he exists, you will receive infinite punishment. However, you do not believe in God, and God does not exist, you will receive a finite amount of happiness, limited to 200 units because of choosing angst over the comfort of religion. As such, whether God exists or not, theists are better off than atheists, making a belief in God the most rational belief."
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"Pensees", 2002.
This paper offers an analysis of Blaise Pascal 's proof of the existence of God through Christ in a review of his work "Pensees".
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 2 sources, $ 62.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the nature of Christ as mediator in the works of Blaise Pascal in his work "Pensees". By studying the sections 190 and 192, one can see how he uses reasoning to prove the existence of God through Christ. The writer shows why there is a strong philosophical connection in this belief system.
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The Philosophical Argument for God, 2005.
A comparison of the philosophical argument for God, as discussed by Michel De Montaigne, Rene Descartes and Blaise Pascal.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 3 sources, $ 71.95
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Abstract
This comparative essay looks at the thought of Michel De Montaigne, Rene Descartes and Blaise Pascal, with regards to the nature of God. The thesis states that all three men argued in favour of the existence of God, but had different ways of arriving at this conclusion. The paper describes that for Montaigne it was through scepticism, for Descartes through doubt and for Pascal through blind faith.
From the Paper
"The Philosophical Argument for God France in the fifteenth to sixteenth centuries was a devout country of the Catholic Christian faith. At this time, as across Europe, learned men began to question not just the Catholic Church, as Luther's reformation inspired, but of God himself. Yet, the predominant orthodoxy was to support the existence of God, either through philosophy or just plain faith. Montaigne, Descartes and Pascal all alike affirmed the existence of God. Each though had their own unique method. For Montaigne this existence could be found through skeptical philosophy, and ultimately the divine revelation God has given to us."
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"Wager for Skeptics", 2007.
An exploration of Blaise Pascal's novel argument for the logical belief in God, as presented in "Wager for Skeptics."
1,397 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper provides a clear explanation of Blaise Pascal's "Wager for Sceptics." It explores, in depth, its merits and its flaws and focuses on the flaws in Pascal's reasoning that resulted in it not achieving his stated goal. This paper demonstrates that, ultimately, the arguments against the "Wager for Skeptics" all stem from the incomprehensible nature of infinity, a notion that lies at the heart of Pascal's work.
From the Paper
"Emanating from his mathematical background, comes Blaise Pascal's Wager - a line of reasoning designed to lure people into the Christian faith. Pascal is acutely aware of human nature, and so bases his campaign around the reader's self-interests, rather than actual theological proofs. The Wager's basic proposition is that if a person believes in the Christian God, there is a chance of them gaining infinite reward. Conversely, if a person does not believe in God, they have no chance of gaining the reward which is on offer. This is a deceptively simple choice: one that immediately appears both enticing and convincing. However, our initial arousal begins to subside just as quickly when we realise that there are major flaws in Pascal's reasoning. Pascal attempts ardently, though unconvincingly, to quash some of the objections that might be proposed. The argument itself, however, if taken as convincing, leads to some unexpected outcomes - ones that do not align with those that Pascal intended. Ultimately, the Wager does not succeed in providing a compelling reason for believing in Pascal's God over any other form of belief."
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Human Reason in "Pensees", 2004.
An analysis of Blaise Pascal's critique of human reason in "Pensees".
1,465 words (approx. 5.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper analyses some sayings from the "Pensees" in which Pascal tries to impress the limits of reason and empirical knowledge. It discusses how, instead of glorifying the utilitarian potential of reason and empirical endeavour, on the eve of the Enlightenment, Pascal instead warns of its danger.
From the Paper
"One of the purposes of Blaise Pascal in the Pensees is to delineate the limits of reason and empirical knowledge. It was in the birth throes of the Age of Enlightenment, the period in which empirical knowledge swept aside Catholicism and faith and supplanted them as the underpinning to European society. Diderot, d'Alembert and the French encyclopedists, paved the way for the German idealists, and in turn for the British utilitarians. The corresponding advance of industry and technology made sure that empirical knowledge became more and more synonymous with knowledge itself, all other forms of knowledge gradually being delegated to the status of superstition. Pascal himself is one of the founders of scientific civilisation, and his contributions in fluid mechanics, probability and number theory are of fundamental importance in this regard. The greatness of Pascal lies in the fact that not only was he a progenitor of modern science, but he was equally aware of its limitations. Against the backdrop of the Enlightenment it is fair to assess that Pascal is ignored and overridden in the Western thrust towards technological society."
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Pascal's Wager, 2004.
An overview of Pascal's beliefs on God and faith.
1,821 words (approx. 7.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 58.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how Pascal makes the argument that belief in the existence of God puts the believer in a more desirable situation at death than that of the non-believer. It looks at how he bases his reasoning upon the possible rewards and losses of belief in God, compared to the rewards and losses of non-belief. It also explores how Pascal?s God is the Judeo-Christian God and how the rules of faith for him are contained in the Bible. It attempts to show how Pascal provides a way for the skeptic to come to God through his 'Wager'.
From the Paper
"Societies must agree upon an objective idea of morality to exist without anarchy. Consider the rewards given to the believer. According to Scripture, heaven awaits those who come to God through Jesus. One?s sins and transgressions are washed clean and one experiences reunification with one?s creator, but only if one believes in God. An eternity in the Kingdom, free from need or want is the prize. If God does not exist, the believer suffers no loss. Nothing comes after death. If there is no God, then when one dies one simply ceases to be. One cannot remember being alive prior to one?s own existence, so non-existence after death would be the same thing. The only logical choice, then, is to believe in God. One gains everything or loses nothing depending upon the existence or non-existence of God.
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Montaigne and Pascal, 2002.
A comparison of the views of Montaigne and Pascal.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 2 sources, $ 62.95
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This paper discusses the views of Montaigne and Pascal. It explores the beliefs that are written in Montaigne's "Of Repentance" and Pascal's "Man in Ignorance of God." Overall, Montaigne stresses the existence of a moral structure inside every human being, while Pascal stresses the importance of thought in human beings.
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