The Pascalian Theme: The Distinction and Loss of Knowledge

Pascal distinguishes the spirit of geometry, akin to today's spirit of math or computation, from the spirit of finesse. He warns of losing this distinction and highlights the shift towards viewing knowledge through the lens of geometry. This Pascalian theme underscores the gradual loss of procedural knowledge, perspectival knowing, and participatory knowing, emphasizing the importance of knowing how to do things, understanding different perspectives, and engaging in mutual transformation with others.