Reply: PASCAL'S WAGER:

Yeah... I saw that but thought it was a good summary of his main argument itself.

When I blog stuff I got always go back and review it. ~Pete

P.S. Got a Webcam with a microphone today. More to come...

Linda Whittaker <olsvig2000@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi Peter,

It's a good presentation of Pascal's Wage but the arguments against it are anachronistic. Pascal thought only within the Catholic tradition. If he knew much about any other tradition, there is no sign of it. So to argue from world religions or even Protestantism is taking it outside the axioms with which Pascal worked. This is a Catholic logical argument and must be examined within a Catholic framework.

Linda

"Peter S. Lopez de Aztlan" <sacranative@yahoo.com> wrote:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/pascal_w.htm

PASCAL'S WAGER:

IS IT SAFER TO BELIEVE IN GOD EVEN IF
THERE IS NO PROOF THAT ONE EXISTS?

Quotations:

	"If you believe in God and turn out to be incorrect, you have lost nothing -- but if you don't believe in God and turn out to be incorrect, you will go to hell. Therefore it is foolish to be an atheist." Paraphrase of Pascal's Wager. 1
	"...the argument consists of four statements: One does not know whether God exists. Not believing in God is bad for one's eternal soul if God does exist. Believing in God is of no consequence if God does not exist. Therefore it is in one's interest to believe in God." Summary of Pascal's Wager by the Internet Infidels.
	"I cannot conceive otherwise than that He, the Infinite Father, expects or requires no worship or praise from us, but that He is even infinitely above it." Benjamin Franklin, from his "Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion," 1728-NOV-20.
	"The reason Pascal's wager does not work is the same reason why you should never plan your retirement on winning the lotto." Massimo Pigliucci. 1

Overview:

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was a 17^th century French mathematician and scientist who is considered to be the father of modern probability theory. He created the first calculating machine, invented the syringe, developed the hydraulic press, and refined the barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure. ₁ However, he is best known in philosophical and theological circles for Pascal's Wager: the suggestion that it is better to believe in the existence of God then to be an Atheist, for the simple reason that it is the bet that gives the better chance for a good outcome.

Pascal wrote:

"If there is a God, He is infinitely incomprehensible, since, having, neither parts nor limits, He has no affinity to us. We are then incapable of knowing either what He is or if He is ... you must wager. It is not optional. You are embarked. Which will you choose then? Let us weigh the gain and the loss in wagering that God is. Let us estimate these two chances. If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager then without hesitation that he is."

..... Note: Post truncated here. ~Peta

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