Chapter 1: Religion Pascal’s Wager Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy Martin

Blaise Pascal ( ) French scientist and philosopher with mildly mystical tendencies Stressed confidence in the “heart” rather than in reason Many writings are concerned with the problems of religious faith Also one of the inventors of the computer and a famous mathematician Best-known work is Penses (“Thoughts”), 1669

Pascal admits we can’t know whether God exists or not If God exists and we believe in Him, we are entitled to an eternal reward If He exists and we don’t believe in Him, on the other hand, we are really in for it— eternal damnation Even if He doesn’t exist, we are still better off believing in God because of the qualities faith brings to life

So, treating the belief in God as a bet or “wager,” the odds look like this: And God exists And God doesn’t exist If we believe:Eternal rewardWe are better people If we don’t believe: Eternal damnation No reward, no punishment

Problem Raised indirectly by Kierkegaard and directly by William James: Does this kind of practical belief capture the content of faith?