Pascal and Divertissement

[Akita Suggagaki]

"Chief among these ego-protective devices is divertissement (distraction or diversion), Pascal’s term for our continual need and almost addictive tendency to seek out mindless or soul-numbing forms of entertainment and amusement. Such “distractions” may sometimes involve behavior that is immoral or culpable, for example, prostitution, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, but more often take the form of habits and activities that are merely wasteful or self-indulgent, like gaming or the salon. They may even consist of pastimes that are basically innocent, but which are nevertheless vain, trivial, or unedifying, for example, sports like tennis and fencing. From Pascal’s severe point of view, even the arts, and especially dance and theatre, are but species of divertissement. So are all the luxuries, consumer goods, and worldly delights with which we proudly surround ourselves. According to Pascal, we use these goods and activities not, as we self-flatteringly suppose, to certify our achievements or add a touch of bonheur to our inner life. On the contrary, we use them mainly as a way of concealing our bleak inner reality from ourselves and from one another. They are a means of denying our own mortality and hollowness."

Pascal, Blaise | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

iep.utm.edu

I can see his point in a lot of things but some of our divertissement might also be healthy and give glory to God, especially when it comes to ar5t and music.

But I also must say that here I am on a Sunday evening spending too much time on the internet.

 

[public hermit]

I don't know if I'm all in with Pascal on this, I think leisurely activities and the arts can be part of a fulfilling life, but I do think distraction is a significant obstacle to the spiritual life and our awareness of God. In that sense I agree with him. Facing the brute fact of our mortality and hollowness is spiritually healthy. Or, I should say, it can be. There might be certain folks w/temperaments or challenges that should not reflect too deeply, perhaps.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I don't know if I'm all in with Pascal on this, I think leisurely activities and the arts can be part of a fulfilling life, but I do think distraction is a significant obstacle to the spiritual life and our awareness of God. In that sense I agree with him. Facing the brute fact of our mortality and hollowness is spiritually healthy. Or, I should say, it can be. There might be certain folks w/temperaments or challenges that should not reflect too deeply, perhaps.

I guess it comes down to balance and that might change for each of us as we grow. I guess I am feeling like I have been too indulgent with diversion on the internet. It would be better for me to unplug and find the real connection within.