Conhecimento a partir do conceito de “coração” em Blaise Pascal

Abstract

Starting from a pessimistic reading of the human condition, we will investigate more precisely the meaning and the relevance of the concept of "heart" in the anthropological perspective present in the texts of the French philosopher Blaise Pascal – namely in your Pensées, published posthumously in 1670 - as well as understand the relationship between the heart and the various types of reasons, which is fundamental for access to knowledge of a higher order. It is known in advance that, for Pascal, the heart represents the area in which reconciliation between God and man is possible by grace, according to biblical tradition; this implies the restoration of the highest epistemic point that the human being can reach, the knowledge of God and of himself. Therefore, Pascal describes a series of intermediary and indispensable factors to achieve this purpose, which will be explained in more detail in this text.