« L’ame, qui tousjours s’esgratigne et s’ensanglante elle-mesme. » Cruauté et repentir, de Pascal à Montaigne

Montaigne and Pascal are notorious for their critique of what Foucault called an “economy of power” of the French Classical Age. Yet, while Montaigne’s critique focuses primarily on cruel punishments, Pascal’s proves rather silent on the issue. The present essay sheds light on that difference.