Happy Birthday, Old Friend
Today is the 400th birthday of Blaise Pascal. I could go on and on about the different ways that Pascal has helped me to think about the world that have made a significant difference to me. For anyone who knew me during the years from 1999-2008 when i was actively researching Pascal for my master's thesis and dissertation i am sorry for the many times that i said something in conversation like, "Pascal said something about this . . . " But i won't apologize for trying to give people a reason to read something that he wrote. If you have never taken the time to read the Pensées ("Thoughts"), put them in your digital library (you can probably find them for free) or buy a second-hand copy to read through at times when you have a moment to be reflective and thoughtful. The Pensées is essentially a set of snippets and sections of writing reflecting on human nature, culture, God, Scripture, and many other topics. Most famously he fashioned an argument for givin...