The Other Pascals: The Philosophy of Jacqueline Pascal, Gilberte Pascal Paerier, and Marguerite Paerier

"In The Other Pascals, Conley argues that Jacqueline Pascal, Gilberte Pascal Périer, and Marguerite Périer each developed a distinctive variant of the neo-Augustinian philosophy which functioned as their family's intellectual creed, and which most people know through their brother/uncle, Blaise. Jacqueline's mystical theology, with its acute apophatic sense of God's alterity, contrasts with her sister Gilberte's sober, pragmatic approach. Gilberte's Augustinianism, which downplays the conflicts within and without the Port-Royal circle, contrasts with her daughter Marguerite's accounts of the Pascal family, which highlights the conflicts as opportunities for the exercise of heroic virtue on behalf of the Augustinian theory of grace. Each had philosophical concerns independent of the thought of their brother. Both Jacqueline and Gilberte sketched their own Augustinian philosophy of education. Marguerite's ecclesiology, with its insistence on ecclesiastical fallibility even in matters of faith and morals, reflects the preoccupations of a later Jansenist generation. All three express a gendered concern about the rights of women to receive a serious theological education in the Augustinian mode and to intervene publicly in the ecclesiastical and political disputes of the age. While many studies of Blaise Pascal have noted the complex influence of Jacqueline and Gilberte Pascal upon him, this influence is usually seen as more emotive and religious than intellectual in nature. In this close-knit familial trio, Jacqueline and Gilberte often emerge as the caregivers, nurses, disciples, memorialists, and sparring partners of Blaise. Inevitably, Gilberte's biography of Blaise is included in any edition of Blaise Pascal's collected works"-- Provided by publisher "In The Other Pascals, Conley argues that Jacqueline Pascal, Gilberte Pascal Périer, and Marguerite Périer each developed a distinctive variant of the neo-Augustinian philosophy which functioned as their family's intellectual creed, and which most people know through their brother/uncle, Blaise. Jacqueline's mystical theology, with its acute apophatic sense of God's alterity, contrasts with her sister Gilberte's sober, pragmatic approach. Gilberte's Augustinianism, which downplays the conflicts within and without the Port-Royal circle, contrasts with her daughter Marguerite's accounts of the Pascal family, which highlights the conflicts as opportunities for the exercise of heroic virtue on behalf of the Augustinian theory of grace. Each had philosophical concerns independent of the thought of their brother. Both Jacqueline and Gilberte sketched their own Augustinian philosophy of education. Marguerite's ecclesiology, with its insistence on ecclesiastical fallibility even in matters of faith and morals, reflects the preoccupations of a later Jansenist generation. All three express a gendered concern about the rights of women to receive a serious theological education in the Augustinian mode and to intervene publicly in the ecclesiastical and political disputes of the age. While many studies of Blaise Pascal have noted the complex influence of Jacqueline and Gilberte Pascal upon him, this influence is usually seen as more emotive and religious than intellectual in nature. In this close-knit familial trio, Jacqueline and Gilberte often emerge as the caregivers, nurses, disciples, memorialists, and sparring partners of Blaise. Inevitably, Gilberte's biography of Blaise is included in any edition of Blaise Pascal's collected works"-- Provided by publisher There have been many studies analyzing the philosophy of Blaise Pascal, but this book is the first full-length study of the philosophies of his sisters, Jacqueline Pascal and Gilberte Pascal Périer, and his niece, Marguerite Périer. While these women have long been presented as the disciples, secretaries, correspondents, and nurses of their brother and uncle, each woman developed a distinctive philosophy that is more than auxiliary to the thought of Blaise Pascal. The unique philosophical voice of each Pascal woman is studied in The Other Pascals . As the headmistress of the Port-Royal convent school, Jacqueline Pascal made important contributions to the philosophy of education. Gilberte Pascal Périer wrote the first philosophical biographies of Blaise and Jacqueline. Marguerite Périer defended freedom of conscience against coercion by political and religious superiors. Each of these women authors speaks in a gendered voice, emphasizing the right of women to develop a philosophical and theological culture and to resist commands to blind obedience by paternal, political, or ecclesiastical authorities. The Other Pascals will be of keen interest to readers interested in early modern philosophy, history, literature, and religion. The book will also appeal to those with an interest in women's studies and French studies. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Abbreviations ONE Introduction: A Familial Philosophy TWO Jacqueline Pascal: Virtue and Conscience THREE Gilberte Pascal Périer: Philosophical Portraiture FOUR Marguerite Périer: Creed and Resistance FIVE Conclusion: Canon and Gender APPENDICES Appendix A: Letters by Jacqueline Pascal Appendix B: Life of Jacqueline Pascal by Gilberte Pascal Périer Appendix C: Profession of Faith by Marguerite Périer Notes Bibliography Index