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Yes, You Will Die. But What Happens Next Is Worse. | The Philosophy of Blaise Pascal

Pursuit of Wonder | June 19, 2026



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In this video, we explore the remarkable life and philosophy of Blaise Pascal. Beginning his life as a prodigy in math and science and then transitioning into an obsession with religion and philosophy, Pascal’s life and work are both astounding and historically material. His acclaimed book, Pensées, and his famous wager, Pascal’s wager, are rife with opportunity for thought and reflection.

Pre-order my new book, ‘The Terrible Paradox of Self-Awareness,” here: https://www.amazon.com/Terrible-Paradox-Self-Awareness-Awareness-Beginning/dp/B0FCDCCNJR/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

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Comments

This post currently has 30 comments.

  1. @PursuitofWonder

    June 19, 2026 at 9:26 pm

    If you enjoy exploring philosophical ideas and aphoristic style books, I think my my new book will also resonate with you. It's titled 'The Terrible Paradox of Self-Awareness," and it follows in the literary genre Pascal helped inspire—philosophical aphorisms and short essays. It explores similar themes covered in this video (mortality, suffering, faith, meaning, and overcoming).
    It’s available for preorder now:
    Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FCDCCNJR?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewsmcmeelpublishing-20
    Other retailers: https://publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com/book/the-terrible-paradox-of-self-awareness/

  2. @danaugustin3688

    June 19, 2026 at 9:26 pm

    The full ideea that religious people are living under a set of rules and that those rules stopping them from experimenting or enjoying it is insanity as it's best .
    I done all that could have been done appart from killing someone and I always knew God is there to protect me this is what gave me the courage to do risky and dangerous things so i dont get what athesits think they can do and religious people missing on ?

  3. @Dravlae

    June 19, 2026 at 9:26 pm

    Pascals wager works because there is a greater reward. This argument fails because the reward is not strong enough to elicit the hope necessary for true change.

  4. @Redflowers9

    June 19, 2026 at 9:26 pm

    8:178:39 really choked me up for some reason, and I don't cry very much. I think it's because it's the most realistic seeming and relatable way I've had this concept framed to me, especially with the animation of people's arms in the air to show we're all going through this welp, I feel myself tearing up as I type this, doesn't help that I didn't sleep last night and it also brought emotional flash backs of when my mother passed from motor neurone disease. I had to clear my tears quick as I had to tend to my food to stop it overcooking and didn't want my house mates to walk in and see me this way lol. Well done, great video.

  5. @mattcackett8535

    June 19, 2026 at 9:26 pm

    Yes you could spend your whole life depressed thinking that human existence is wretched. Pascal did that and spent the last nine years of his life in misery stressing over things that really didn't matter writing a book he never finished that 99.99% of the world's population will never even hear of, much less read. Or you could just enjoy life while it lasts, spend as much time as possible with the people you love and doing the things you enjoy and not worry too much about existential dread. You're only guaranteed this one life and in all probability what happens next is nothing. So yeah life is short, make the most of it. Right, I'm off to the kitchen to make something nice for breakfast, then I'm off to visit my dad, then out for a nature walk with the mrs. Hopefully I'll fit in a couple of glasses of wine too. Happy Sunday!

  6. @EdKolis

    June 19, 2026 at 9:26 pm

    I don't want to have hope, because hope leads to disappointment. It's better to expect nothing but the worst. But I still can't find the courage to end my life and send myself to hell where hope is forever dead…

  7. @River_89

    June 19, 2026 at 9:26 pm

    When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I went on a deep dive about death and discovered Caitlin Doughty and her channel. I feel, for the most part, I have a healthy relationship with death, but mostly I respect it and know how close it lives to us at all times. I’ve had a lot of loss in my life.
    I love how you said “everything is not okay, and it won’t be” or something to that effect. That sentiment lives in me. Once I got used to it (and got on the right antidepressants) things started to feel less scary.
    So glad his work was saved and finished.

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