Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was a French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist who also experienced suicidal ideation during his life. Pascal is best known for his work Pensées, a collection of notes and fragments he wrote about various philosophical and religious topics.
Pascal’s struggles with suicidal ideation were largely related to his chronic illness, which caused him significant physical pain and discomfort. In his writings, he frequently expressed his despair over his condition and his belief that death would be a welcome relief from his suffering. However, he also recognized the potential consequences of suicide, both for himself and for those who loved him.
In Pensées, Pascal writes about the futility of human existence and the search for meaning and purpose in life. He argues that all human endeavors are ultimately meaningless and that only God can provide true fulfillment and happiness. This belief, combined with his own struggles with physical pain and depression, led Pascal to contemplate suicide as a means of escape.
However, Pascal ultimately rejected suicide as a solution to his problems. In one of his most famous quotes, he wrote, “The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know.” For Pascal, suicide was an irrational act that could not be justified by reason. Instead, he turned to religion and spirituality as a way of coping with his pain and finding meaning in his suffering.
Pascal’s views on suicidal ideation reflect his broader philosophy of life, which emphasized the importance of faith and the search for meaning in a world that often seems cruel and meaningless. While he recognized the depth of human despair and the temptation to end one’s own life, he ultimately believed that suicide was not the answer and that there was hope to be found in a life lived in pursuit of a greater purpose.