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.