The Multitalented Blaise Pascal
Sasho Kalajdzievski
A K Peters/CRC Press eBooks October 12, 2023 DOI: 10.1201/9781003282198-11 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Pascal's two-hour vision, possibly linked to an accident-induced near-death experience, profoundly shifted his life from science to metaphysical philosophy and mysticism, and offers scientific justification for the claim that near-death experiences and visions are not necessarily fictional products of deluded brains. |
Abstract
The main subject of Chapter 11 is the French versatile scientist Blaise Pascal. We note his contributions to mathematics, physics, and philosophy. He is also credited with the construction of the first calculator. He experienced a two-hour-long vision that may have been triggered by an accident causing a near-death experience (NDE). During the vision, he perceived and communicated with an entity that he identified as Jesus Christ. The event left a profound impact on life, precipitating a shift from science to metaphysical philosophy and mysticism. A selection of his writings, titled Pensées , was published after he died. We devote a section to Pensées . We provide some scientific justification for the claim that NDEs, and visions in general, are not necessarily fictional accounts produced by persons suffering from deluded brains.