Scientific Innovation and Rationalized Religion: The Life of Blaise Pascal.
This 5-page, 3-source paper examines the life of French mathematician Blaise Pascal. Pascal was a philosopher, writer, physicist, and Christian apologist. The author discusses how Pascal's study of mathematics and geometry helped lead to the invention of hydraulics, resulting is such modern innovations as the hydraulic press and medical syringe. Also, the author discusses Pascal's discoveries on probability, which resulted in gambling methodology and laid the foundation for statistics and insurance analysis. The author finishes the piece by analyzing Pascal's growing religious convictions later in his short life, which included an attempt to strengthen traditional faith by applying the rational thought of modern science. 5 pgs. Bibliography lists 3 sources.