Copyright: 2006

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN: 0060766913

A recent visit to the library reminded me that I haven't been reading many biographies lately.  Having read a number of books dealing with game theory and decision theory, Pascal's name was on my mind and when I saw this book I picked it up.  James Connor looks at the life of Blaise Pascal through the lens of theology in his book, Pascal's Wager: The Man Who Played Dice With God.  Pascal, who only lived to 39, is widely known for his mathematical work in probability theory.  He is less widely known for his work proving the existence of a vacuum and inventing one of the earliest calculators as well as creating one of the world's first public transportation systems.  With such a short life and so many accomplishments I was surprised to learn that during the last seven years of his life, he almost completely renounced his work in science as the result of a religious experience he called his "night of fire."

Noble... and more Noble

Connor's work is a veritable treasure trove of historical anecdotes of the French world in with Blaise Pascal lived.  He recounts stories from both the political and religious realms that greatly shaped the period of French history in the early 17th century.  He details the cultural world in which there was a higher and a lower nobility.  The lower nobility consisted of those who had earned their way into nobility by serving in some government capacity for at least three generations. 

Fundamental Catholicism

He also details the great spiritual warfare that pitted followers of Thomas Acquinas with followers of Augustine.  The latter, called Jansenists in Pacal's day, were in favor of a very strict interpretation of Augustine's teaching on grace.  Interestingly much of what this group taught was very similar to what John Calvin was teaching on the Protestant side of life and was thus condemned by the official Catholic church.  There were undertones of a fundamentalist movement in the Jansenists of Pascal's day and a good part of why he gave up his scientific studies in his latter years was due to his involvement with these well-meaning intense believers.

The Freedom of the Convent

In one portion of the book, Connor details the decision by Blaise's sister, Jacqueline, to join a convent (or nunnery).  I was surprised to learn that in those days for women to become a nun was actually a freeing experience.  Their societal obligations to their families often weighed them down and restricted their daily choices in life.  Choosing to join a nunnery meant they were free from the bonds of family and society and they could now live a life of relative ease and peace. 

Mortification of the Flesh

In The Davinci Code, Dan Brown has a member of Opus Dei wearing a cilice, a device meant to inflict pain on the wearer.  The purpose of the cilice is to cause discomfort or pain to remind the wearer of their sin nature and remove all pleasure from their lives.  While Dan Brown's character was fictional, the real life Blaise Pascal wore a cilice in his later years as a reminder to himself that he shouldn't enjoy the pleasures of life.  He wore a leather belt with metal spikes pointed inward towards his flesh.  Whenever he felt himself succumbing to pleasure, he would press the belt into his flesh and cause pain.  He was a sickly man his whole life and certainly this added daily pain did nothing to lengthen his days.

Conclusion

I thoroughly enjoyed Connor's treatment of Pascal in this book.  He takes the time to paint the historical context and he spends time on Pascal's religious inclinations, something many science minded writers are loathe to do. This is an excellent read for anyone interested in the life of a brilliant mind.