Lettres provinciales

The Lettres provinciales (Provincial letters) are a series of eighteen letters written by French philosopher and theologian Blaise Pascal under the pseudonym Louis de Montalte. They are a defense of Jansenist Antoine Arnauld, a friend of Pascal's who in 1656 was condemned by the Faculté de Théologie at the Sorbonne in Paris for views that were claimed to be heretical. The first letter is dated January 23, 1656 and the eighteenth March 24, 1657. A fragmentary nineteenth letter is frequently included with the other eighteen.

Related Topics:
French - Philosopher - Theologian - Blaise Pascal - Jansenist - Antoine Arnauld - Sorbonne - Paris - Heretical - January 23 - 1656 - March 24 - 1657

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Structurally, the first few letters promote the Jansenist teachings on "proximate power" (Letter I) and "sufficient grace" (Letter II). The later letters find Pascal more on the defensive - pressure on the Port Royal Jansenists to renounce their teachings was constantly growing through this time - and contain the assault on casuistry. Letter XIV contains the famous quote, "I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time."

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The reaction to the Lettres provinciales was substantial. Pascal's use of wit, humor, and mockery in attacking existing institutions made his work extremely popular. However, its publication was primarily via the underground press as in 1660 Louis XIV banned the book and ordered it shredded and burnt. Nevertheless, the letters survived and influenced the prose of later French writers like Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Related Topics:
Underground press - 1660 - Louis XIV - Voltaire - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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