The Second Nature in Augustine and Pascal

Abstract

This article aims to show that the theme of second nature is central in Augustine and Pascal's thoughts, it is also the foundation of their anthropological reflection that the Bishop of Hippo develops from his researches on the origin of evil while the Jansenist reacts against to rationalist pretensions in the 17th century. We prove how the concept of second nature allows these authors the presentation possibilities of man within a historical-temporal context, considering different social and human cultural issues. It begins at thematic such as the fall and the original sin; Augustine as much as Pascal carries these categories from a theological plan to a context of reason which both thinkers transform in hypothesis for basing current status or after the fall. Thus, Augustine and Pascal give to us a reflection about the human condition in a standard that submits itself neither to fideism nor to rationalism, they set up their anthropological perspectives balancing faith and reason, through this standard analysis.