Essay on Pascal’s Wager - 984 Words

In this paper I will be discussing Pascal’s Wager. What I first plan to do in this paper is explain the argument of Pascal’s Wager. Next I will explain how Pascal tries to convince non-theists why they should believe in God. I will then explain two criticisms in response to Pascal’s argument. Finally, I will discuss whether or not these criticisms show Pascal’s reasoning to be untenable. Pascal’s Wager is an argument that tries to convince non-theists why they should believe in the existence of the Christian god. Pascal thinks non-theists should believe in God’s existence because if a non-theist is wrong about the existence of God they have much more to lose than if a theist is wrong about the existence of God. Pascal begins his†¦show more content†¦If this is true then the non-theist will be rewarded in this life and will not be rewarded or punished when they die. Since there are only two choices a person can make Pascal believes a person should choose to believe in God. Pascal comes to this conclusion based on what he believes are the four possible outcomes of a person’s choice. Pascal believes believing in God is the best possible choice because between placing a wager on God’s existence and placing one on God’s non-existence, placing a wager on his existence offers the best rewards. Pascal explains that if a believer is wrong about God’s existence then they only suffered while they are alive, however, if a nonbeliever is wrong about God’s existence then while they did enjoy their life on Earth they will suffer forever in the afterlife. Since the possible rewards are greater than the possible suffering that a theist can experience it is in ever yone’s best interest to believe in God’s existence. While Pascal’s Wager is a somewhat convincing argument to become a Christian theist this argument has two important criticisms. The first criticism I would like to bring up is one Pascal refutes himself in the Pensees. The second criticism I would like to bring up is known as the â€Å"many-gods objection† this argument Pascal does not even acknowledge. Pascal’s Wager has been argued to be impractical because our beliefs are often not in our control. This argument isShow MoreRelatedPascals Wager1557 Words   |  7 Pagesimpossible to determine God’s existence for certainty through reason. Instead, he suggested that rational individuals should wager as though God does indeed exist, because doing so offers these individuals everything to gain, and nothing to lose. Unfortunately, Pascal’s Wager contains numerous fallacies, and in-depth analysis of each one of his arguments proves that Pascal’s Wager is incorrect. Pascal originally proposed his idea in the Pensà ©es, a collection of fragments of his work, primarily writtenRead More Criticism of Pascals Wager Essay1544 Words   |  7 Pagesto believe rather to disbelieve because the odds are in favor of the believer. This gambler-like idea is better known as â€Å"Pascal’s Wager† or â€Å"The Gambler’s Argument.† Nevertheless, this sort of play-the-ponies idea is not quite precise. Although Pascal’s Wager serves as a stepping-stone for non-believers, it is a rather vague, faithless and inaccurate argument. Pascal’s wager takes the position of a gambler. It says that it is far more logical to believe in God because the odds are in one’s favorRead MorePascal’s Wager vs. the Ontological Argument2450 Words   |  10 PagesPascal’s Wager vs. the Ontological Argument Pascal’s Wager was a groundbreaking theory posed by the French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist Blaise Pascal. Pascal, who is said to be the father of modern probability, felt that that religion should be approached as a gamble. It was one of the first efforts to incorporate the concept of infinity. The wager stated that, even though the existence of God cannot be determined through reason, one should wager as though God exists, because livingRead More A Critical Discussion of Blaise Pascals The Wager Essay example2074 Words   |  9 Pages A Critical Discussion of Blaise Pascals The Wager   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the gambling world bets are made based on odds, the probability or likelihood that something would happen. In the court of law, cases are decided upon by the weight of evidence presented by the respective parties. The common link between these general scenarios is that decisions are made based on some outside evidential factor. The more probable something is likely to happen, or the more evidence presented in favor or opposed to somethingRead MorePascal : The Benefits Or Drawbacks For Believing1695 Words   |  7 Pagesin God. Pascal believed that reason could not show if God existed or not. He proposed that people must â€Å"wager† one way or the other on the sides of believing in God. He states God will, reward whoever accepts him, and infinitely punish or abandon whoever rejects him. Pascal’s argument is wise in the aspect that it persuades people to believe in a being, without proof of this being. Pascal’s wager is stout as it appeals to p eople’s own happiness/self-interest, but displays a weakness as only discussesRead MorePascal, The Founder Of The Pascal s Wager899 Words   |  4 PagesBlaise Pascal was the founder of the Pascal’s Wager. Pascal was a French philosopher, an inventor, a mathematician, a scientist and a theologian. Pascal extended a reason to believe in God, even though other people had beliefs that God is not real and his existence is not inconceivable. The Pascal’s Wager was a second-person communication. It showed that Pascal conceptualizes an individual forced to decide between the belief in God and not to believe in him. An example of what Pascal would demonstrateRead MoreQuestions On Pascal s Wager1878 Words   |  8 PagesI am arguing that Pascal’s Wager is significantly stronger of a rationale when more social factors are taken into consideration. In his time, Blaise Pascal formed the foundation of the Pascal’s Wager we know of today, posthumously in the form of ‘Infinirien’. Though this is more easily defensible then Pascal’ Wager, the modified version has garnered enough popularity and has enough similar that it is the target of most criticisms. Pascal came up with a theory of understanding the consequences ofRead MorePascal s Wager : A Prayer, But Let The Good Times Roll1601 Words   |  7 PagesPascal’s Wager: Say a Prayer, But Let the Good Times Roll One of my favorite quotes is what I also happened to name this paper. The quote comes from a song (Thnks fr th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy, the full quote being â€Å"Say a prayer, but let the good times roll in case God doesn t show†) and while it is often used in a sardonic manner, there is a lot of truth in it. Coming from a household where one side has to be in the front row every Sunday and the other believes that everything intimate is betweenRead MoreThe Ethics Of Belief By Clifford. Pascal1776 Words   |  8 Pagesbelieve in God are indecisive. The three philosophers have varied views on how beliefs are formed. This essay discusses the reasons why Clifford made the above conclusion, the position taken by James in his opposition and how the argument relates to Pascal’s Wager. In Clifford’s first section of his essay, he narrates two stories as an illustration of how beliefs are arrived at. His first story is that of the ship owner who sends an immigration ship out to sea. The ship owner had a dream where he saw theRead MoreSummary Of Blaise Pascal s The Wager 1286 Words   |  6 PagesBlaise Pascal’s famous work, â€Å"the Wager,† utilizes about the concept of pragmatic justification in the terms of deciding whether or not to believe in God. In response to this, William Clifford publishes â€Å"The Ethics of Belief† countering Pascal’s view. Neither Pascal or Clifford’s views are perfect, but they are both worth examining. Clifford s universal rejection of pragmatic justification is ultimately too harsh on Pascal’s Wager. Pascal utilizes reason to come to the conclusion whether or not