Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was a brilliant thinker who made groundbreaking discoveries in mathematics and physics, and became known as a great philosopher and theologian. His life and work, characterized by his deep reflections on the great questions of life, alongside his rigorous mathematical expositions, illustrate what a true study of the artes liberales can offer us. The name “Pascal” therefore perfectly encapsulates our mission.
We believe that a liberal arts education fosters profound thinking and wise judgment. Education should transcend the mere acquisition of technical knowledge to encompass developing the capacity for self-reflection and judiciousness. These skills allow a student’s mind to reflect deeply on matters of personal, professional, and societal significance.
We assert that the most effective way to cultivate these skills is through immersive engagement with Great Books, texts that masterfully explore enduring questions of the True, the Good and the Beautiful. We therefore aim to be a close-knit community of committed students and exceptional teachers who collectively engage with these timeless texts in inspiring places all over the world.
The lecturers at the Pascal Institute work at universities in the Netherlands and abroad.
Ensures that the institute can provide high-quality and personalized education.
Renowned academics who provide the Pascal Institute with their guidance.
Talented PhD candidates and early-career lecturers who help realize our mission together.
We draw inspiration from thinkers whose works masterfully explore the True, the Good and the Beautiful, and the pursuit of these ideals.
Our curriculum is rooted in the belief that true education cultivates freedom—a freedom derived from discipline, self-reflection, and wise judgment.
We believe that meaningful education thrives in settings where teachers and students engage personally.
What does it mean to live well? What is society? How can we build a free and prosperous community? What roles do emotions and friendship play in our lives?
The Pascal Institute is founded at Rapenburg in Leiden.
2022The first Summer Symposium for PhD candidates and other young academics is held.
August 2022The 12-week seminar "The Classical Canon" begins with 15 students.
October 2022The first Winter Symposium for PhD students and young academics is held in collaboration with the Harvard Institute for Constitutional Government in Boston, Massachusetts.
January 2023The 12-week seminar "The Modern Canon" and "Studium at Rapenburg" commence.
February - May 2023The first three Pascal Junior Scholars receive scholarships for PhD research.
May 2023Twelve week seminars in science, philosophy, literature, and classical languages.
September 2023The first public Friday Night Lecture with a renowned speaker is given, followed by group discussion.
April 2024A two-week intensive course in Vienna on philosophy and music is held for Masters students and PhD-candidates.
June - July 2024The first weekend trips for professionals are launched, focused on the study of Great Books in Rome, Florence, and Bordeaux.
2024We invite you to join us in advancing our mission of exemplary Great Books education! By supporting our work, you help fund essential projects that have a meaningful impact on individuals and bring greater wisdom to society. Your support ensures that we can continue to provide resources, develop new initiatives, and extend our reach to a broader audience. Become a Friend of Pascal and be an integral part of a community that values the transformative power of Great Books education.
At the Pascal Institute, we are dedicated to delivering the finest liberal arts education aimed at cultivating profound thinking and wise judgment. You are challenged by great thinkers such as Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Galileo, Shakespeare, Pascal, Newton, and many more.
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‘Restless is Our Heart’
In our upcoming lecture we will explore how the longing of the human heart for happiness informs the great political questions of war and peace. Is the desire for world peace simply a utopian fantasy, or does it reveal something profound about the human condition? Through the work of Augustine we will unravel what his ideas can teach us today.