The Wager

Pascal argues, on the basis of the logic of probability, that it is more advantageous to believe in God than not, since the gains of belief, if he exists, are far greater than any loss we would incur by believing if he does not exist. In the light of this, he argues that anyone who cannot believe should condition himself or herself to do so by the bodily discipline of practising Christian rituals. These arguments are clarified in detail, and the objections addressed to both are evaluated, especially the argument that the Wager would validate belief in any God. The conclusion is that our assessment of the Wager’s efficacy must depend on our views as to its relation to the anthropological, scriptural, and historical arguments discussed in earlier chapters.