Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal was born on June 19, 1623, in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Pascal was a child prodigy, especially in mathematics. He wrote his first treatise on the subject, "Essay on Conics," at the age of 16.
He made significant contributions to mathematics, including the development of Pascal's triangle, which is still used in algebra and combinatorics today.
One of his most famous philosophical contributions is "Pascal's Wager," which argues that belief in God is rational because the potential benefits of believing (eternal salvation) outweigh the potential costs of disbelief (eternal damnation). Pascal's most famous work is "Pensées" (Thoughts), a collection of his notes and ideas about religion and philosophy, published posthumously.
He was deeply influenced by Jansenism, a Catholic theological movement emphasizing predestination, grace, and the idea of human depravity.
Pascal also contributed to the field of physics, particularly in hydrostatics and the study of atmospheric pressure. The unit of pressure, Pascal (Pa), is named after him. Pascal struggled with fragile health throughout his life and died on August 19, 1662, at the age of 39.
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