As one of the original thinkers behind probability theory, Blaise Pascal developed what is commonly referred to as "Pascal's Wager" in an attempt to prove by deductive reasoning that believing in a higher power was more rational than not. He did not strive to convince that God in fact does exist, but rather the probability that there is a God is great enough that it would be foolish for one not to believe. In doing this Pascal was not able to develop a theory that applied universally to religion, but instead created a dichotomy between those who believe in a Christian God, and those who do not. For this reason "Pascal's Wager" better served as a defense of Christianity and as a justification of the Christian faith.
The Wager initially establishes that it is not necessary to prove that God exists for him to actually exist. Pascal likens this to the number infinity. He states that although we do not know what the number infinity is, we are well aware that numbers are not finite. In knowing that numbers are not finite we are able to gather an understanding that there is an infinite number, whatever that may be. By the same method of proving infinity he claims that, "therefore we may well know that God exists without knowing what he is." Since Pascal acknowledges that he, or anyone else, cannot legitimately prove that there is a God he resorts to defending the choice that Christians have made by saying "who then will condemn Christians for being unable to give rational grounds for their belief." Calling into question the use of reason in explaining God, for the first time in his Wager, further defends this. He asserts that reason cannot decide if there is or is not a God because "reason cannot make you choose either, reason cannot prove either wrong." This is later contradicted when Pascal goes on to explain the Wager.
The main premise of "Pascal's Wager" revolves around the idea that there are two choices that can be made pertaining to whether or not there is a God, and that everyone must wager one of the two ways.
Pascal had two sisters named Gilberte and Etienne, who thought of him as a prodigy. ... At the age of twelve Pascal figured out a concept of Euclidean geometry by himself. ... Pascal also came up with an arithmetical triangle known as Pascal's Triangle. ... Pascal's Wager expresses that the conviction in the belief in God is rational. ... On the night of November 23, 1654 a great change came over Pascal. ...
As Pascal states, "Men despise religion. ... Realizing this they have taken to diversions" (Pascal 4). ... As Pascal states, "There no doubt exist natural laws, but once this fine reason of ours was corrupted, it corrupted everything" (Pascal 16). ... Pascal muses, "We must keep silence as far as we can and only talk to ourselves about God, whom we know to be true, and thus convince ourselves that he is" (Pascal 26). ... Faith comes forth in two possible ways according to Pascal. ...
Blaise Pascal believes God as an infinite, something that we do not know. ... Pascal thought we know the existence of the infinite, but are ignorant of its nature, because it has extensions like us but not limits like us. ... With this Pascal summarizes that because God has no affinity to us, we are incapable of knowing either what He is or if He is. According to Pascal's Wager, the existence of God cannot be known one way or the other, because of the fact the God is unknowable. Pascal thought that it made more sense to believe in the existence of God, than to not believe. ...
In section IV of Penées by Blaise Pascal. ... Pascal finds this somewhat amusing but not surprising. ... Pascal says there are three sources of belief: reason, custom and inspiration. If you look at the Christian religion as said by Pascal, " Which alone has reason, does not acknowledge as her true children those who believe without inspiration."" ... In conclusion, for one to find faith in God one must be susceptible to simple arguments like there is a God because he is our whole reason for existing and he encompasses everything surrounding you, or you are harder to convince you shoul...
Blaise Pascal Blaise Pascal was a great mathematician from the 17th Century. ... But Pascal at first was not allowed to study mathematics. ... Pascal read the book and mastered it. ... In 1654, when Pascal was 31 he created "Pascal's Triangle-. ... Pascal died in 1662 at the age of 39 of cancer. ...
Blaise Pascal Blaise Pascal was born on June 19, 1623 in Clermont-Ferrand, France and died August 19, 1662 of stomach cancer. ... Pascal's triangle? ... So this proves that Pascal was a genius. ... Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), http://www.maths.tcd.ie/pub/HistMath/People/Pascal/RouseBall/RB_Pascal.html, 7/19/01 2. Blaise Pascal, http://www.search.com/click'sl,marin.1.118.142.0.5.%22Blaise+Pascal%22.0,http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecis%2Eum%2Eedu%2Emt%2F%7Ejskl%2Fbpascal%2Ehtml, 7/20/01 3. 1640 AD Blaise Pascal's Arithmetic Machine, http://www.maxmon.com/1640ad.htm, 7/20/01 Blaise P...
Over all Pascal's Wager is very logical, but I must say that I do not personally find it to be very persuasive. ... Pascal's Wager offers no more than this as to why one should believe in god. ... In a way Pascal is making the same exact threat, follow and believe in God and you will go to heaven, but if you don't then you will pay dearly, granted there is a God. ... Leaving the entire thing as an empty threat, which in many cases is how Pascal's Wager is viewed. ... Over all I do not find Pascal's Wager very persuasive. ...
"The Wager" by Blaise Pascal Pascal brings the readers to his level, or tries to explain his thought process. ... The heart wants to be happy, and according to Pascal being a Christian brings you happiness. The ways of the secular world will not allow you to be a complete person full of joy and love: the ways of the secular world will, in relation to Pascal and "The Wager", not lead to happiness. ...
An Analysis of Wagering On God by Blaise Pascal Wagering On God is a persuasive essay written by Blaise Pascal in the 17th century. ... Pascal then goes on to say that we must wager and it is not a choice for one to make. ... Pascal returns to his question of if there is a God and whether we should wager for or against it. ... These points are considered true in the thesis only after the "game" Pascal refers to is understood. ... Pascal does have very strong arguments to support his thesis...