Post on 04-Jan-2016
Pascal's wager ~ slide 1
Pascal’s wager
Blaise Pascal (French, 1623-1662) At age 16, formulated one of the
basic theorems of projective geometry, known as Pascal’s theorem
1642 - invented the first mechanical adding machine
1648 - proved Torricelli’s sea of air hypothesis
Pascal's wager ~ slide 2
Pascal’s wager
Pascal's wager ~ slide 3
Pascal’s wager
1654 - together with Pierre de Fermat, formulated the mathematical theory of probability
The famous wager, from the Pensées (1670) God is “infinitely incomprehensible”
and completely transcendent, completely different than us.
Pascal's wager ~ slide 4
Pascal’s wager
How, then, can faith in God’s existence be justified?
Reason cannot decide, but we must make a choice. Refusing to choose is itself a choice with immense consequences.
What choice should we make?
Pascal's wager ~ slide 5
Pascal’s wager
The wager A. If one bets that God exists, then
there are two possible outcomes (1) God exists (one wins the
bet); one gains much -- one enjoys eternal bliss.
(2) God does not exist (one loses the bet); one loses very little.
Pascal's wager ~ slide 6
Pascal’s wager
B. If one bets that God does not exist, the outcomes are: (3) God does not exist (one
wins the bet); one gains very little.
(4) God does exist (one loses the bet); the consequences are immense -- eternal loss.
Pascal's wager ~ slide 7
Pascal’s wager
Now comparing A & B, we see that the choice is clear. Choose A.
Final piece of advice What should we advise a person
who wishes to believe but cannot? Act as if you believe, “taking the
holy water, having masses said, etc.” (65).
Pascal's wager ~ slide 8
Pascal’s wager
Critical evaluation of Pascal’s wager Comment: This is not an argument
for the existence of God (as a truth-claim); reason by itself cannot tell us whether God exists. Rather it is an argument for the
justification of faith in the existence of God. He offers a reason why we ought to believe in God.
Pascal's wager ~ slide 9
Pascal’s wager
Does the fact that the wager is practically useful mean that it is true? Claims can be useful, but false (e.g., wolves are vicious).
Pascal’s conception of God -- God is so far beyond that he cannot be known & hence the need to resort to the wager. This conception of God is contrary to Judaism, Christianity, & Islam.
Pascal's wager ~ slide 10
Pascal’s wager
Does Pascal’s conception of the Jewish & Christian God one-sided? Does it emphasize some attributes of God & without considering others?
Pascal's wager ~ slide 11
Pascal’s wager
William James’ objection: The wager does not work without a predisposition to believe.