A teoria do conhecimento na perspectiva de Blaise Pascal: uma crítica à ciência universal da ordem e da medida

Abstract

The goal of this work is to reflect on the theory of knowledge under the philosopher Blaise Pascal‟s (1623-1662) perspective, and his position on the idea of a universal science of order and measure, which is founded on the exaltation of reason, as the only competency of absolute and secure knowledge. The search for a knowledge entirely outlined by reason is evident in the seventeenth century, i.e., mathesis universalis. Before this time, Blaise Pascal's conception of knowledge, his represents an advance for his time due to his epistemology based on the balance between rational (deductive-logical) knowledge and knowledge related to heart. The reason is not owned exclusively by certainty since the heart gives us immediate access to the first principles and serves as the basis for reason to support its speech. Indeed, one reason is not direct access to these principles (primitive terms such as the notion of time and space), due to being of the order of the feelings (Natural light) and not being able to make absolute affirmations about its nature realizes its limits. The impossibility of absolute and perfect knowledge in Pascal‟s philosophy is a signature of the human condition, which is concealed with greatness and miserableness, disproportionate to a nature and without a fixed point, according to the Cartesian project. Therefore, both reason and heart have their own domain, the heart feels and reason demonstrates. It is worth emphasizing that our research is based on literature review, with the following manuscripts Thoughts (Pensées) and the Geometric Spirit and the Art of Persuading.