Descartes and Pascal present strikingly different goals for knowing—absolute certainty and mere probability. In his quest for certainty, Descartes focuses on reason alone to the exclusion of other modes of knowing. With this, Descartes also defines himself as a thinking thing (res cogitans). Pascal, by contrast, sees human knowing in more personal terms involving probable judgment and risk in coming to decision. Pascal makes explicit the competition between reason and the heart and the need to know when to rely on or abandon each of them. Your assignment is to present clear definitions of the major terms and issues of both philosophers, to determine whose approach you find most true, and explain why. You should also be able to explain how these opposed approaches influence each philosopher's understanding of either 1)human
knowledge of God or 2) human knowledge of the external world (external reality). Here are some terms and issues for Descartes: the self (ego) as a thinking thing, substance dualism, mind and body interaction, clear and distinct ideas, methodic doubt, ‘God,’ principle of sufficient reason, explanation of error.
Some terms and issues for Pascal: the human condition as great and wretched, the human condition as between the infinite and nothing, the heart and reason and how they relate to one another, and the wager. You need not use all of these terms and issues. Rather, choose the ones that help to build your case most comprehensively and clearly.
Use these sources for quotes: Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy
Sample Solution