Blaise Pascal and the global economy

Date(s)November 20, 2023
LocationClermont-Ferrand
Organiser(s)FERDI, CIBP-UCA

November 20, 2023, Clermont-Ferrand

The Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development (FERDI) and the Centre international Blaise Pascal (CIBP)) of the Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA), organised a conference titled "Blaise Pascal and the global economy".

As a part of the festivities organized by the city of Clermont-Ferrand to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Blaise Pascal's birth, the FERDI and the CIBP hosted this conference to emphasize the economic dimensions of his work, their influence on the evolution of ideas, and their contemporary significance.

A conference on the economic lessons from Pascal

This conference was opened to the public. It were divided into four thematic sessions, each delving into a pivotal economic lesson from Pascal:

Pascal's Legacy: The Originator of the Expected Utility Theory.
Pascal the Visionary: The Forerunner of Impact Investment.
Pascal's Perspective on Modern Justice: Addressing the Overlooked Boundaries of Universalism.
Pascal and Economic Evolution: A Comparative Analysis with Teilhard on the 'Sense of History'.

Each of these sessions featured a panel discussion with renowned philosophers, literary scholars, academic economists, and influential figures in the world of economics, all of whom share a deep appreciation for Pascal's insights.

Programme

Opening

9h-9h30

Laurence Plazenet, Professor of French Literature at UCA and Director of the Centre international Blaise Pascal, IHRIM
Patrick Guillaumont, Professor Emeritus at UCA and Chairman of FERDI
Mathias Bernard, President of UCA
François Villeroy de Galhau, Governor of the Banque de France (video)

Pascal, the Founder of Expected Utility Theory

9h30-11h15

Moderator: Annie-Lou Cot, Professor Emeritus, University of Paris I, Sorbonne Economics Centre

Laurent Thirouin, Professor Emeritus at the University of Lyon II, IHRIM
Bertrand Munier, Professor Emeritus at the University of Paris I and Chairman of the Maurice Allais Foundation
Pierre-Charles Pradier, Senior Lecturer at the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne

Pascal, Social Entrepreneur: Pioneer of Impact Investing

11h30-13h15

Moderator: Jean-Michel Severino, Chairman of Investisseurs et partenaires, former Chief Executive Officer of Agence française de développement, and Head of the FERDI Impact Investment Chair

Ghislain Deslandes, Professor at ESCP Business School and former program director at the Collège International de Philosophie
Anne-Laure Sellier, Professor of Behavioral Sciences at HEC Paris
Patrick Plane, Director of Research at CNRS, CERDI-UCA, and Head of programme at FERDI

Pascal and the Overlooked Aspects of Justice in Today's Context: Exploring the Limits of Universalism

14h30-16h15

Moderator: Patrick Guillaumont, Emeritus Professor at the Université Clermont Auvergne, Charirman of the FERDI

Marc Fleurbaey, Professor at the Paris School of Economics (PSE)
Bernard Gazier, Professor Emeritus at the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and President of the Société de Port-Royal
Tony Gheeraert, Professor at the Université de Rouen and Vice-President of the Société des Amis de Port-Royal
Grégoire Rota-Graziosi, Professor at CERDI-UCA and Head of Programme at FERDI
Jean-Michel Severino, Chairman of Investisseurs et partenaires, former Chief Executive Officer of Agence française de développement, and Head of the FERDI Impact Investment Chair

Pascal, Economic Development, and the 'Sense of History': Pascal vs. Teilhard

16h30-18h

Moderator: Laurent Thirouin, Emeritus Professor at the Université de Lyon II, IHRIM

Gérard Ferreyrolles, Professor Emeritus at the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne
Pierre Jacquet, Professor at the École des Ponts and former Chairman of the Global Development Network
François Euvé, Professor at the Centre Sèvres and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Études
Bertrand Munier, Emeritus Professor at the Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and Chairman of the Maurice Allais Foundation
Tony Gheeraert, Professor at the Université de Rouen

Conclusion

Laurence Plazenet, Professor of French Literature at UCA and Director of the Centre international Blaise Pascal, IHRIM

Patrick Guillaumont, Professor Emeritus at UCA and Chairman of FERDI

Link to the photo library

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DD8CndaR2qkx3tJNA