Can we all agree to never try to use Pascal's Wager again?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_Wager

Regardless of your belief in God, Pascal's wager is bunk, and there isn't a single ***theologist*** who thinks that is makes any sense.


If you don't know... Pascal's wager is the idea that it is better to believe in god than to not because you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

It assumes that there is only one belief to choose (and it's the right one)
It assumes that god can be fooled (if you choose to believe based on reward and logic, then you have no faith)
....

Oh hell, read the article. Pascal's wager is crap on many levels.

Can we all agree to STOP trying to use it?

Answer 1

I will flip a coin.

Answer 2

Pascal was one of the more brilliant men to live. Pascal's wager is not crap, bunk, nor meaningless. There are MANY theologians who think it makes a ton of sense, and no, I don't think we should agree to STOP using it.

However, Pascal's wager should not be the end all argument, either. It is meant to be the beginning point of contemplation, not the end. Pascal was absolutely correct, a Christian looses nothing if they are wrong, and still gains much through their faith. An atheist, however, looses everything and gains nothing if they are wrong.

Pascal's wager doesn't assume that there is only one belief to choose, nor does it assume that God can be fooled. It assumes that the profanity of that wager is enough to really contemplate any given faith before dismissing it. Pascal's wager actually applies to Christians as much as atheists. What if the Muslims are correct? Or the Mormons? Or the Scientologists? Or the Hindus? As Christians we should not only know what we believe, but why we believe it. We should also know what others believe and why we reject it. It also makes sense that when contemplating other faiths, we should probably examine those that condemn us first. For example, if Hinduism is correct, and I do not become a Hindu, I will just come back again and have another chance to figure it all out. If Islam is correct, however, I have far more to loose. Therefore, I should make sure I know why I reject Islam.

So, while I do not agree that we should stop using Pascal's wager, I think we should stop mis-using it the way we often do... "You should become a Christian because of Pascal's wager..."

No. But you SHOULD examine Christianity because of Pascal's wager. I end with quoting the article you linked to...

"Before entering into the criticisms of the Wager, it is only fair to note, as is less widely known, that the wager was never intended to be a basis or reason for faith. The wager is found in an apologetic (his Pensées) aimed at those who didn't consider the question of God worth considering."

Answer 3

Pascal's guess began its existence scribbled interior the margins of a e book and rejected by utilising its author from being made right into a acceptable argument. human beings at present curiously have lots decrease standards than interior the previous. in case you settle for or reject an theory completely based on the value of the effect of protecting that concept, you're working in the direction of philosophical pragmatism. everywhere else it is noted as a fallacy. no count how lots stable the perception does, it would not make the problem genuine. Uniformitarianism, as you define it, isn't accepted in simple terms because of the fact the perception in it fairly works, yet additionally because of the fact the philosophy is fairly precise. The medical technique that assumes this does artwork, meaning that doing the comparable element will generally yield the comparable outcomes, a minimum of while averaged between a series of subjects.

Answer 4

I agree. I wish people would just see the fact that Pascal's wager would never work even considering their god is real in the end.

Answer 5

As always I vote we just bloody get rid of religion in the first place. *sigh*

If you are only going to worship God because of what you stand to loose or gain, than you are no longer worshiping God. I don't think anybody can just choose to believe something. Put it this way, If god exsists and your only "believing" in him to stay on his good side, than being god won't he see through that and KNOW that you don't really believe him?
Well, I know what I want to say, just not necessarily HOW to say it. I've been out of school for too long, I'm going through AP English withdrawl *twitches*.

Answer 6

I promise I will never use Pascal's Wager again.








What the h*ll am I saying?!?

I'm a Pagan. I never use Pascal's Wager.

Jeez and I was hoping to give you a little ray of hope.

Answer 7

Anyone who uses Pascals wager is just showing their lack of intelligence.

Answer 8

I hope you didn't give yourself a headache with all that head banging!

I never used it, but I agree. Makes as much sense as deciding to knock on wood, throw spilled salt over your shoulder, and avoid walking under ladders. Just in case.....

Answer 9

I didn't know what it was until you put the link up but what I do say is as along as you are a atheist or agnostic we can't agree on anything regardless of any source or books you put before me.
/

Answer 10

Maybe he is making the point that it is better to believe in something and have hope, than believe in nothing and despair?

Answer 11

it would be silly and illogical to believe in something because the odds are in your favour ... and im not sure that god ( if you wish to say there is one ) would want followers in this way
im with you