Great Authors - Literature of the Renaissance - Pascal, Pensses

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Dr. Michael Sugrue earned his BA at the University of Chicago and PhD at Columbia University.

[kennethanderson]

I will forever (?) be grateful for what Michael Sugrue did to inspire my interest in the philosophical tradition of Western Civilization.

[jamalanderson]

This is the greatest lecture series by far on YouTube right now

[FrameWinnerTennis]

I only discovered Mr. Sugrue last year, but his lectures have already changed my life. I am forever grateful for his work and everyone who has helped to make it publicly available.

[samloutalbotmusic]

It is an unbelievable thing that we can listen to these lectures. Best thing on YouTube. I’m getting through one a day. Problem is I can’t listen to anyone waffle now after getting used to such a blazing intellect

[Tnerb]

Sugrue if you read this please post the Parmenides lecture “most true”. It’s great and I would love to listen to it again.

[enlightenedanalysis]

Thank you Dr. Sugrue, this was a truly excellent lecture. I really enjoy the last few minutes regarding Kierkegaard and Nietzsche's reactions to Pascal. Really appreciate these videos.

[bilbaomadrid]

I am entranced by Professor Sugrues way of talking, and recounting stories. I just finished your Don Quixote lecture and I was hooked until the end!

[enlightenedanalysis]

I watched this a second time. Really great. Thank you.

[josephtrinkle]

You are a great man and you changed my life. I've been fascinated by your knowledge since i first found you. I would say may you rest in peace, but I'm sure that you are. Such a brilliant man

[WelshRabbit]

All of Dr Sugrue's lectures are superb. It was one of his courses that I bought as my first set of lectures (then on VHS tapes) from "SuperStar Teachers, " later "The Teaching Company, " later "The Great Courses." Dr Sugrue stands a tiptoe with the greatest teachers of our time. Through his lectures, notes and materials, may his wisdom live and be a blessing even for countless generations yet unborn. By the way, I think the paraphrased quote at minute 32:00 attributed to Lear's Fool was actually by Macbeth (just before the messenger arrives to announce that Birnam Wood is advancing to Dunsinane Castle).

[thomasphoenix]

"Intellectual terrorist" is quite possibly the most accurate description of Pascal I've ever heard. 😂

[cheri]

I always love to hear your voice, Dr. Sugrue.
A tranquility, calming spirit stays with me, developing my mind to grow.
"Pascal a terriost, " what a funny assumption. Definitely!!! He would have been better to have stayed with his mathematics. Although a spiritual experience without the intellect harrowing his mind, he could have possibly connected with the beyond.
I loved the play by Moliere "Misanthrope"

When you were a tadpole and I was a fish
In the Paleonzoic time
And side by aide on the
ebbing tide
We sprawled through
the the ooze and slime
Through the deapths of
the ambrian fen,
My heart was rife with
the joy of life,
For I loved thee even
then."

[The.Nasty.]

Thanks so much for these lectures they’re beyond stimulating…

Sugrue hit the nail on the head when he said Pascal’s arguments at least make you think differently about the topics.

[FreeIranRenaissance]

I latterly am learning how to speak English by listening to his lectures,

[ronMovies]

16:07 "Blaise" a new path that satisfies the intellectual demands of both camps. I love this man. Rest in Peace.

[enlightenedanalysis]

Loved every moment of this. Thank you.

[bryantflores]

This was the video that did it. About 120 videos watched and I finally comment. What a journey of lectures, hilarious. Thank you for knowledge.

[PraetorClaudius]

Reading Pensees now and feels like a gem. Love the aphoristic style.

[andrewyancy]

Might be my favorite Sugrue lecture so far, which is surprising, because Pascal isn't sexy like Nietzsche or an intimidating authority like Kant. Isn't Pascal just that triangle guy? I guess I knew basically nothing about Pascal or the Pensses before this, but I was quite surprised by the intensity of it all. It has more of a feeling even than Nietzsche or Kierkegaard of a desperate, internal life or death struggle to find some unassailable truth, some meaning that we can hold on to. Maybe it's not a coincidence that this is the one lecture (at least that I've seen) in which Sugrue seems compelled to admit that he personally doesn't know the answers. "I just work here." I had to laugh at that.

[JamieEHILLS]

Michael, your mastery is truly inspirational, thank you very much 🙏