Blaise Pascal, the founder of probability theory, concluded, in his famous "Wager" argument, that the wise man will bet that God does exist.
The mind of each person must come to a conclusion on this question, "Does God exist?" Our thoughts (and the very fact that we among all we survey have the power of thought should influence which way we bet) must at some time deal with this question. This is one wager we must all make. There are only two ways to bet, either God exists or he doesn't. Which way will you choose?
Pascal argues that because the odds are even, reason is not violated in making either choice; so reason cannot determine which bet to make. Therefore the choice should be made pragmatically in terms of maximizing one's happiness.
If you bet that God exists and he does, the winnings include eternal life and infinite happiness. If he does not exist, then you have lost nothing. However, if you wager that God does not exist, but he does, then you have suffered infinite loss. If you win your bet and he does not exist you have gained nothing. Therefore, Pascal concludes, the only prudent choice is to believe that God exists.
There is a lot at stake. Choose wisely.
If you bet that God does exists, have a read of the book he has given us so that we could come to know him truthfully rather than make him up to be as we would like him to be.
Blaise Pascal, Pensees, 343
W.L.Craig, Reasonable Faith, 68
The mind of each person must come to a conclusion on this question, "Does God exist?" Our thoughts (and the very fact that we among all we survey have the power of thought should influence which way we bet) must at some time deal with this question. This is one wager we must all make. There are only two ways to bet, either God exists or he doesn't. Which way will you choose?
Pascal argues that because the odds are even, reason is not violated in making either choice; so reason cannot determine which bet to make. Therefore the choice should be made pragmatically in terms of maximizing one's happiness.
If you bet that God exists and he does, the winnings include eternal life and infinite happiness. If he does not exist, then you have lost nothing. However, if you wager that God does not exist, but he does, then you have suffered infinite loss. If you win your bet and he does not exist you have gained nothing. Therefore, Pascal concludes, the only prudent choice is to believe that God exists.
There is a lot at stake. Choose wisely.
If you bet that God does exists, have a read of the book he has given us so that we could come to know him truthfully rather than make him up to be as we would like him to be.
Blaise Pascal, Pensees, 343
W.L.Craig, Reasonable Faith, 68
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