Blaise Pascal

Explore the strengths and weaknesses of two Ways of Knowing. Ways of Knowing are methods in which we acquire and retain knowledge, each of which are used to different degrees in different situations. We use reason and emotion, in tandem everyday, and debatably, all the time. They are a crucial of the way we think and behave but both have their limitations. Reason is defined as “the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking especially in orderly rational ways” (Definition of Reason, n.d.)…

Cornelius Jansen (1585-1638) [Aquoi, Louvain, Paris, Ypres]. Jansen tended to support the Augustinians in a struggle against the Jesuits, whom he accused of granting absolution without sufficient regard for the disposition of penitents. He maintained that the utter corruption of human nature made man helpless, without free will, and completely dependent upon the grace of God for salvation. He and his followers (the Jasenists) were noted for their severity and moral rigorism. Jasen was…

The ‘Being Human’ gallery presents a unique and fascinating view of the science of social behaviour. Indeed, the human mind is an amazing world of mysteries. Understanding human behaviour is a perfect blend of work of the scientists from the world of biology and social psychology. The interactive exhibits & dioramas supported with multimedia kiosks & video displays here, provide in depth information on the interesting features of the human mind. There are 41 exhibits in the gallery, such as,…

Born on April 15, 1707 in Bales, Switzerland was man names Leonhard Euler. Following in his father's footsteps he was studying to be a rural clergyman. “Though originally slated for a career as a rural clergyman, Euler showed an early aptitude and propensity for mathematics, and thus, after studying with Johan Bernoulli, he attended the University of Basel and earned his master's during his teens.”(Biography.com Editors) During his time at school, Euler found a passion for mathematics. “By 1726,…

Bored Out of My Mind, Body and Spirit “Boredom Comes From a Boring Mind” (Metallica) In 1975, “don’t leave home without it” referred to your American Express credit card. In 2014, it has taken on a whole new meaning, personal electronics. Cell phones, laptops, tablets, GPS, and gaming devices, our electronic tethers keep us connected, like the Star Trek Borg, we are all a part the collective. Our lives have become bound together by an entanglement of electronics. The very items intended to…

Courage is the rare trait that involves feeling fear but not listening to it. Courage is living by a higher ideal. It is living with a purpose that is greater than the fear. If there is no fear, then courage cannot be exercised. Wisdom without courage is weak, and courage without wisdom is dangerous. Beowulf is a perfect example of this. He acted on courage without wisdom and acted foolishly. He was more focused on furthering his own name and accomplishments. Pride produces blind courage,…

Blaise Pascal once stated “Love has reasons which reason cannot understand”. Although, Romeo and Juliet is a classic tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the late 1500’s it tells the story about a young pair struggling to save their love. It also teaches the audience the different types of love and how too much of it can be dangerous. Therefore, Shakespeare’s use of dramatic techniques gives audience an insight into the different representations of love through the use of romantic, courtly,…

violent eruption producing such slow-moving flows," said Valentine, co-author of the new study. "They still devastate a huge area, but they 're slow and concentrated and dense," he told Live Science. His collaborators include Olivier Roche, of Blaise Pascal University in France and David Buesch, of the U.S. Geological Survey. Of course, the safest way to deal with any rumbling volcano is to get as far away as possible. Lots of distance can prevent the most common cause of death associated with…

Shakespeare’s political play Julius Caesar is one in which its namesake, Caesar, is murdered by a group of conspirators. Following this, Brutus attempts to persuade the audience that he acted for the best interest of Rome, claiming that Caesar would have become a dictator. However, the commoners of Rome were never satisfied with the reasoning for Caesar’s death. This was caused due to multiple reasons, mainly which they had already established their support for Caesar and Brutus’ inadequate…

In 1517, an Augustinian Catholic priest and professor of theology, Martin Luther (1483-1546), unhappy with the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church, posted his ninety-five theses on the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The subject of indulgences of the Church was his main dispute. The Church was raising money by promising salvation to the givers. This started the Protestant Reformation that was to lead to his excommunication and produce a major split in Christianity and the rest of the…