Pascal a problem sceptycyzmu (Pascal and the Problem of Scepticism)

Abstract

Scepticism is a doctrine which holds the possibilities of knowledge to be limited. There are many types of scepticism (practical /theoretical, partial/total, moderate/ radical, etc). Scepticism as a philosophy began with Pyrrho of Elis (365–275 BC). The rediscovery of the sceptical texts during Renaissance affected the developmentof modern sceptical currents. In France philosophical statements of scepticism were offered by Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592). Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) great French mathematician, scientist, inventor an religious thinker was familiar with Montaigne sceptical ideas. Pascal refers to Montaigne as the most illustrious defender of scepticism. Blaise Pascal point of view is original. Whenever he insiststhat no proof is ever certain but simultaneously he adds that scepticism is untenable because we have reasons to believe.

Keywords

• scepticism
• history of scepticism
• modern French scepticism
• Montaigne
• Descartes
• Pascal