Reading guide for Tues 12/6: Blaise Pascal, "The Weight of the Mass of the Air" and "Conclusion," in I. H. B. and A. G. H. Spiers (tr.), The Physical Treatises of Pascal (New York: Columbia Univ. Press, 1937), pp. 27-75. (On reserve in Lilly.)

There is some stuff in here that it is not essential to know thoroughly but to be aware of. By this I am mainly referring to the experimental section (ch 2). Try and get a general feel for the first two experiments; pay attention to his use of constants and variables in experimentation. As you glance by the other experiments consider the practicality of them. Does the usefulness of them increase as he proceeds through the chapter. Make sure to read the short intro. Read through ch 3-9, but really focus on 7-9. After 7-9 consider this: Why does Pascal practice science? Finally, read the conclusion. Focus on his warning about language in science. If you find something bogging you down, know what it is dealing with and move on. I am more concerned with his motivation for the treatise than his data or details.

Focus on:
27-32
36-38
58-66
67-75
be aware of the rest

Think about these things for discussion:

What are Pascal's constants and variables in the experiments?

Are such methods essential in science?

How do these constants and variables make Pascal's science different from Descartes' science (think about Descartes' arbitrary explanations)?

What does Pascal want throughout this treatise(think about utility and knowledge)?

What does Pascal have to say about scientific language?

Does Pascal's discussion on language reflect our current scientific language?

Lincoln Smith