Blaise Pascal on Duplicity, Sin, and the Fall - The Secret Instinct

This book explains Pascal's understanding of the cognitive consequences of the Fall. For Pascal, the self is a fiction, constructed from without by an already duplicitous world. Drawing on the Pensees, William Wood demonstrates, by exegetical argument and constructive example, that 'Pascalian' theology is both possible and fruitful.

List of contents

• Introduction


• 1: The Evaluative Fall: Disordered Love and the Aversion to Truth


• 2: The Reign of Duplicity: Pascal s Political Theology


• 3: The Imaginary Self in a World of Illusion: Pascal on the Fallen Human Subject


• 4: Sin and Self-Deception in Pascal s Moral Theology


• 5: On Lying to Oneself: Analytic Philosophy on Self-Deception


• 6: A Pascalian Model of Sin as Self-Deception: Morally Culpable Self-Persuasion


• 7: The Way Back: On Loving the Truth

About the author

William Wood, Fellow and Tutor in Theology, Oriel College, Oxford

Summary

This book explains Pascal's understanding of the cognitive consequences of the Fall. For Pascal, the self is a fiction, constructed from without by an already duplicitous world. Drawing on the Pensées, William Wood demonstrates, by exegetical argument and constructive example, that 'Pascalian' theology is both possible and fruitful.

Additional text

There is much of value in this and the level of discussion is generally excellent.

Product details

• Authors: William Wood, William (Fellow and Tutor in Theology Wood
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 04.07.2013
• EAN: 9780199656363
• ISBN: 978-0-19-965636-3
• No. of pages: 252
• Series: Changing Paradigms in Historical and Systematic Theology; Changing Paradigms in Historical and Systematic Theology; Changing Paradigms in Historic
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Religious writings, prayers, songbooks, religious meditations; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Miscellaneous; RELIGION / Christianity / Catholic, France, PHILOSOPHY / Religious, RELIGION / Christian Theology / General, RELIGION / Philosophy, RELIGION / Christianity / General, Theology, Christianity, Christian theology, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, Philosophy of religion, Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church, C 1600 To C 1700