“Faith indeed tells what the senses do not tell, but not the contrary of what they see. It is above them and not contrary to them.”
- June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662
- French
- Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Theologian
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Quote
“Faith indeed tells what the senses do not tell, but not the contrary of what they see. It is above them and not contrary to them.”
Explanation
Pascal emphasizes that faith and reason are not enemies—rather, they occupy different realms of understanding. The senses reveal the material world, giving us facts based on observation and experience. Faith, on the other hand, speaks to realities beyond empirical verification, such as the existence of God or the immortality of the soul. By saying faith is “above” the senses, Pascal means it extends beyond their reach—not that it contradicts what they reveal.
This view aligns with the context of Pascal’s 17th-century theological reflections, particularly in his work Pensées, which defends Christian belief in the face of rising rationalism and skepticism. During this era, thinkers like Descartes sought certainty through reason, while Pascal acknowledged the limits of reason and proposed that the heart has its reasons which reason does not know. He recognized the tension between scientific discovery and religious belief but insisted they need not be in conflict.
Today, Pascal’s distinction is still relevant in discussions of science versus religion. For instance, belief in human dignity or moral absolutes often goes beyond sensory evidence, yet does not oppose it. A modern believer might accept the findings of biology and physics while also holding a conviction in the soul or divine purpose. Pascal provides a framework for harmonizing empirical knowledge with spiritual belief, without forcing a false dichotomy between them.
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