The Idea of Progress

At the same time Pascal recognised that we are indebted to the ancients for our very superiority to them in the extent of our knowledge. They reached a certain point, and the slightest effort enables us to mount higher; so that we find ourselves on a loftier plane with less trouble and less glory. The attitude of Descartes was very different. Aspiring to begin ab integro and reform the foundations of knowledge, he ignored or made little of what had been achieved in the past.