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Beyond the Wager
Paperback
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Blaise Pascal, the seventeenth-century French philosopher and scientist, is perhaps best known for his "wager," an argument about the existence of God. But there was much more to Pascal and his brilliance.
In this accessibleand well-documented study, philosopher Douglas Groothuis introduces readers to Pascal's life as well as the breadth of his intellectual pursuits, including his contributions to mathematics, science, ethics, and theology. Groothuis overviews the keypoints of Pascal's Pensées, which captures his thoughts about God, humanity, and Jesus Christ. Readers will also explore Pascal's views on a range of topics, including culture, politics, Islam, and miracles.
Often quoted and often misunderstood, Pascal is a complex figure whose writings have charmed, puzzled, and inspired readers across the centuries. With guidance from a leading Christian thinker and longtime student of Pascal, Beyond the Wager takes you on a journey todiscover the riches Pascal has to offer today.
Preface
1. Blaise Pascal: Known and Unknown
2. A Short Life of Pascal
3. Scientist and Philosopher of Science
4. Theological Controversy
5. The Character and Plan of the Pensées
6. God: To Prove or Not to Prove
7. Skepticism and the Hidden God
8. Deposed Royalty
9. Jesus Christ: Miracles and Prophecy
10. The Excellence of Christ
11. Christianity, Mohammad, and the Jews
12. Wagering a Life on God
13. Pascal's Critique of Cultureand Politics
Conclusion: A Christian Genius for the Ages
Appendix: Descartes and Pascal Get into an Argument in Heaven
Bibliography
Name Index
Subject Index