The Dual Nature of Man

Pascal consistently emphasizes, in the Pensees and the other writings in the book, that humans have a dual nature and that only be grasping this dual nature can humans and their purpose in life be understood. The first nature is that of beings made in God's image. As such, we are fundamentally good creatures worthy of glory and honor for being made in the image of God. Further, we are worthy of great things and have extraordinary abilities and the capacity for great virtue. Our ability to reason is the most divine thing in us.

The second nature is that of the sinner. After Adam's Fall, all human beings were polluted with original sin which disposes them to act immorally and to commit sins. In fact, human beings are so depraved that they cannot help but sin without the initiation and further help of...