Sriharsha Madireddy is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in political science and philosophy. My academic focus centers on political philosophy and the historical development of political thought, with a particular fascination for continental philosophy and the Frankfurt School. Thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Karl Marx, Martin Heidegger, and Hannah Arendt captivate me. My research interests revolve around critically analyzing reason, exploring the dichotomy between humanity and nature, and examining the impact of capitalism on society.
Project Description:This research project explores Pascal’s Pensées, arguing that it serves as a cautionary tale against secularism and the dangers of man’s ambition to replace the Infinite with his own finite understanding. Emphasizing Pascal’s critique of reason and imagination, the paper contends that man, in pursuit of greatness, becomes blinded to his limitations, resulting in a life of misery. The study highlights Pascal’s call for recognizing one’s finite nature and the folly of ousting the Infinite, presenting the philosopher’s wager as a reasonable choice in acknowledging the limits of human knowledge and wisdom. The analysis delves into themes of pride, vanity, and the limitations of reason, ultimately the research urges a return to a simpler, more authentic existence aligned with nature. |