"Wager for Skeptics"

Analytical Essay # 97813

English > Analysis
Mathematics
Philosophy > Religion

An exploration of Blaise Pascal's novel argument for the logical belief in God, as presented in "Wager for Skeptics."

1,397 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2007 Australia

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a clear explanation of Blaise Pascal's "Wager for Sceptics." It explores, in depth, its merits and its flaws and focuses on the flaws in Pascal's reasoning that resulted in it not achieving his stated goal. This paper demonstrates that, ultimately, the arguments against the "Wager for Skeptics" all stem from the incomprehensible nature of infinity, a notion that lies at the heart of Pascal's work.

From the Paper:

"Emanating from his mathematical background, comes Blaise Pascal's Wager - a line of reasoning designed to lure people into the Christian faith. Pascal is acutely aware of human nature, and so bases his campaign around the reader's self-interests, rather than actual theological proofs. The Wager's basic proposition is that if a person believes in the Christian God, there is a chance of them gaining infinite reward. Conversely, if a person does not believe in God, they have no chance of gaining the reward which is on offer. This is a deceptively simple choice: one that immediately appears both enticing and convincing. However, our initial arousal begins to subside just as quickly when we realise that there are major flaws in Pascal's reasoning. Pascal attempts ardently, though unconvincingly, to quash some of the objections that might be proposed. The argument itself, however, if taken as convincing, leads to some unexpected outcomes - ones that do not align with those that Pascal intended. Ultimately, the Wager does not succeed in providing a compelling reason for believing in Pascal's God over any other form of belief."

Sample of Sources Used:

Hajek, A. 'Pascal's Wager', The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2004 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.) http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2004/entries/pascal-wager/
Pascal, B. 'A Wager for Skeptics', from: Sherry, P. (ed.), Philosophers on Religion (London 1987)