Making Sense of It All: PASCAL and the Meaning of Life [Paperback]

Thomas V. Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1992

No matter how old you are, the big questions keep coming up---questions about life, death, God, religion, the nature of faith, the formation of an adequate worldview, and the meaning of it all. Morris takes a new look at those old issues in this entertaining and instructive book. Relating numerous personal anecdotes, incorporating intriguing material from the films of Woody Allen and the journals of Leo Tolstoy, and using the writings of the 17th-century genius Blaise Pascal as a central guide, hell help you philosophize about your life, enjoy the process, and perhaps even make sense of it all.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080280652X
• ISBN-13: 978-0802806529
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Philosophers

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pascal's "Thoughts" Make Sense of Life - Morris makes it Fun, July 20, 2002

By 

Daniel R. Martin (Grand Haven, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Sense of It All: PASCAL and the Meaning of Life (Paperback)

There comes a point in almost everyone's life when they ask themselves, "What does it all mean?" Blaise Pascal, the French scientist, mathematician, and philospoher reached this point at the age of thirty-one, when he converted to Christianity, and began writing down a number of his thoughts on the meaning of life and the defense of his new-found faith. Pascal died before he could organize and publish his Pensees ("thoughts"), but fortunately for us modern readers, many fine editions have been edited and published through the years.

Tom Morris, a former philosophy professor from Notre Dame, examines Pascal's thoughts on the meaning of life, utilizing his witty and entertaining sense of humor. Morris writes for the everyday man, not just philospohers and theologians, making this book especially useful for high school and college age persons who are examining their lives and seeking to make sense of it all.

So go ahead, take Pascal's wager and bet on Morris's little book to bring you both enlightenment and joy.

[Other excellent editions of Pascal's Pensees are offered by Os Guinness (The Mind on Fire) and Peter Kreeft (Christianity for Modern Pagans) - both are recommended if you want more perspectives on Pascal.]

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for understanding those hard questions, February 25, 2001

By 

D. Greene (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Sense of It All: PASCAL and the Meaning of Life (Paperback)

Morris explains and expounds upon Pascal's thought in an easy to read manner. A apologetic work in the line of G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis.

Pascal is an example of a brilliant scientific mind who found it very reasonable to believe in God, or more specifically a Christian God. Morris, through Pascal, shows that faith and reason can take you farther than either can alone. A great thought provoking book for the person seeking understanding of those hard questions.

One addendum to the reviewer of May 9, 2000 who said "Pascal was a Jansenist, the Roman version of a Catholic":

Jansenism is named after Cornelius Jansen, who was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ypres in the early 17th century. His main work, Augustinus, was published after his death. In this work, he claimed to have rediscovered the true teaching of St. Augustine concerning grace, which had been lost to the Church for centuries.

Jansenism was never approved of by the Roman Catholic Church, and while Pascal had several Jansenist friends, and wrote in support of their cause, it is questionable whether he himself was a Jansenist. Morris addresses this issue in pages 8 & 9 of this book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A deceptively straightforward approach to Pascal., April 26, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Plainsboro, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Sense of It All: PASCAL and the Meaning of Life (Paperback)

I would highly recommend this to those who's quest for the truth brings them to ask the tough questions about Christianity. For fans of C.S. Lewis, Morris lays out a Christian argument through the writings of Pascal's Pensees. Although only 200 pages, It will take time to reflect upon Morris's comments. Morris weaves his considerable knowledge of apologetics with the deceptively simple yet insightful positions of Pascal. As Morris states, "In this book I want to explore with Pascal those most important questions for getting our bearings". A must read.