Pascal's wager ~ slide 1 Pascal’s wager zBlaise Pascal (French, )  At age 16, formulated one of the basic theorems of projective geometry, known as Pascal’s theorem  invented the first mechanical adding machine  proved Torricelli’s sea of air hypothesis

Pascal's wager ~ slide 2 Pascal’s wager

Pascal's wager ~ slide 3 Pascal’s wager  together with Pierre de Fermat, formulated the mathematical theory of probability zThe 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 yA. If one bets that God exists, then there are two possible outcomes ä(1) God exists (one wins the bet); one gains much -- one enjoys eternal bliss. ä(2) God does not exist (one loses the bet); one loses very little.

Pascal's wager ~ slide 6 Pascal’s wager yB. If one bets that God does not exist, the outcomes are: ä(3) God does not exist (one wins the bet); one gains very little. ä(4) God does exist (one loses the bet); the consequences are immense -- eternal loss.

Pascal's wager ~ slide 7 Pascal’s wager yNow comparing A & B, we see that the choice is clear. Choose A.  Final piece of advice yWhat should we advise a person who wishes to believe but cannot? äAct as if you believe, “taking the holy water, having masses said, etc.” (65).

Pascal's wager ~ slide 8 Pascal’s wager zCritical 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. yRather 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.