The Philosophical Writings of Blaise and Jacqueline Pascal

FAIN: FT-291904-23

Daniel Paul Collette
Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI 53233-2225)

Research and writing of an introduction and annotations for a translation of the writings of philosophers and siblings Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) and Jacqueline Pascal (1625-1661).

This proposal seeks to complete the first comprehensive, scholarly English translation of the philosophical works of Jacqueline Pascal, and her better-known brother Blaise. While both were prolific, few of their philosophical works are translated. There is only one published English volume of Jacqueline’s writing, and it does not focus on her philosophy; her work on, e.g., ethics and feminism, is still unavailable. Blaise’s work largely remains untranslated also or is translated from manuscripts now known to contain errors, follow old translating norms, are out of print, or some combination of these. As a result, many important philosophical works are overlooked. Our book is under contract and will be complete by 05/31/2023 except for scholarly annotations and introductions to each included work. Since 2023 is the 300th Anniversary of Blaise Pascal’s birth, if awarded the NEH Summer Stipend, I will complete the final steps in time for the book to be promoted during those celebrations.