Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
Blaise Pascal was a mathematician and inventor. He produced important theorems in projective geometry, invented the first digital calculator in order to help his father in his work collecting taxes, and laid out the foundation for the theory of probability. He is perhaps best known for Pascal’s Wager, a complex argument that employs probability theory and decision theory, the concept of infinity, and other strands of intellectual thought. For indepth biographical information on Pascal go to --
http://turnbull.dcs.st-nd.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Pascal.html or
http://www.maths.tcd.ie/pub/HistMath/People/Pascal/RouseBall/RB_Pascal.htm
For an explanation of Pascal’s Wager go to --
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pascal-wager
and for writings about Pascal’s Wager go to --