Pascal's Politics

Session Submission Type: Panel

Abstract

What can Pascal, that “effrayant genié” known for his contributions to theology and mathematics, teach us about modern politics and the human condition? This panel hopes to explore this question by looking at the fragments in Pascal’s Pensées. Panelists’ paper topics range from his understanding of self-love, ennui, and natural law to comparisons with Tocqueville and Hobbes.

Sub Unit

• Modern & Contemporary Political Theory

Chair

• Ryan Hanley, Boston College

Individual Presentations

• Pascal on the (In)accessibility of Natural Law - Kayla Bartsch, Independent Scholar

• Human Restlessness and Politics - Tyler Castle, University of Notre Dame

• Pascal and Hobbes - Samuel Little, Boston College

• Pascal and Amour-Propre - William Lombardo, Boston College

• Ennui and the Turn to Thinking Rightly - Julia G Mahoney, Boston College

Discussants

• LUKE FOSTER, Hillsdale College

• Dimitrios Halikias, Princeton University