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Pascal's Wager: Philosophy and God

This document summarizes and discusses Pascal's Wager, which argues that it is rational to believe in God because the potential benefits of eternal life in heaven outweigh the costs of not believing and potentially facing eternal damnation in hell. It outlines the expected gains and losses of betting on God's existence or non-existence. It then discusses some common objections to Pascal's Wager, such as whether belief is truly a choice, whether it is rational to believe without evidence, and whether the existence of heaven and hell can be assumed. It ultimately argues that while Pascal's Wager may not prove God's existence, it provides motivation to seek further evidence and consider the possibility seriously given the high stakes involved.

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Brent Silby
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
259 views

Pascal's Wager: Philosophy and God

This document summarizes and discusses Pascal's Wager, which argues that it is rational to believe in God because the potential benefits of eternal life in heaven outweigh the costs of not believing and potentially facing eternal damnation in hell. It outlines the expected gains and losses of betting on God's existence or non-existence. It then discusses some common objections to Pascal's Wager, such as whether belief is truly a choice, whether it is rational to believe without evidence, and whether the existence of heaven and hell can be assumed. It ultimately argues that while Pascal's Wager may not prove God's existence, it provides motivation to seek further evidence and consider the possibility seriously given the high stakes involved.

Uploaded by

Brent Silby
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pascal’s Wager

Philosophy and God

BRENT SILBY
Unlimited (UPT)
Betting on God (Pascal’s Wager)

What do I gain if I win?

If I bet on God existing: Eternal life in Heaven

If I bet on God NOT existing: Nothing !

What’s the penalty if I lose?


If I bet on God existing: Nothing !

If I bet on God NOT existing: Eternal life in Hell


Overall strategy
God exists: Expected gain = eternal life in heaven

Expected loss = nothing

God does not exist: Expected gain = nothing

Expected loss = eternal life in hell

I have one life to bet. What should I bet on?


Objections to Pascal’s Wager
Objection 1
Why are ‘belief’ and ‘non-belief’ the only options?
Why not include agnosticism?

God does not distinguish between atheist and agnostic.

Objection 2
Why must I bet?

You must decide on the IMPORTANT questions

REPLY: But, you must decide important questions RATIONALLY. This wager
is not rational.
Objections to Pascal’s Wager
Objection 3
Pascal wants me to try to acquire a belief for which there is no evidence.
This is IRRATIONAL.

Yes, but:

) In trying to believe in God, I am not acting AGAINST the evidence because


there is no evidence to show that God does NOT exist.
) Rationality is not good in itself, but only so far as it helps us to form true
beliefs. Therefore,

(I) Since rationality is of no help in forming true beliefs, being


irrational doesn’t matter.
(ii) If it is true that God exists, being irrational will help me form a true
belief and so it is valuable.
Objections to Pascal’s Wager
Objection 4
Not everyone will agree that infinite life is of infinite value.

REPLY: Yes, but the wager will still work for most people
Objections to Pascal’s Wager
Objection 5
Pascal assumes the nature of God and the existence of heaven and hell

REPLY: Yes, but he doesn’t need to assume this; he only needs to


assume that is is POSSIBLE that such a God and heaven and
hell exist.

COUNTER-REPLY: But it is also possible that God sends to hell all those
who bet on God.
Watch Pascal Wager Video

What should a rational person do?


Seek evidence…Read article on Near Death Experiences
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_death_experience
Powerpoint by BRENT SILBY
www.def-logic.com

Produced at Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti


Christchurch, New Zealand
www.unlimited.school.nz

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