Religious Probability Scenario- Whom?

thealmighty · 02-03-2006, 08:43 AM

Stupid cryptic sounding title, but after a funeral I went to yesterday where I saw some things, blah, blah...

There is/was a paper/posit/speech/whatever by someone famous (or that's how I remember it, anyway) on how it is better to believe in God than not because there are 4 possibilities and 3 are better if you believe:

no God, believe
no God, don't believe
yes God, believe
yes God, don't believe

3 of the 4, it is a good outcome to believe, etc... I don't have time for the rest. If you have heard it, you know what I mean.

Anyone know who/where this came from?

MalcPow · 02-03-2006, 09:01 AM

What about all those possibilities where you're believing in the wrong God?

QuikSand · 02-03-2006, 09:02 AM

Blaise Pascal, most notably.

wiki link

John Galt · 02-03-2006, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcPow

What about all those possibilities where you're believing in the wrong God?

There are so many things wrong with Pascal's gambit that it is almost impossible to know where to start.

thealmighty · 02-03-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Blaise Pascal, most notably.

wiki link

Perfect. Thanks, QS.

thealmighty · 02-03-2006, 10:22 AM

...and I didn't ask about the positives/negatives of the gambit, just where it originated.

Feel free to discuss, though, if you feel like it.

Mac Howard · 02-03-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Galt

There are so many things wrong with Pascal's gambit that it is almost impossible to know where to start.

And you can remove the terms "'s gambit" and it still remains accurate

st.cronin · 02-03-2006, 07:28 PM

I stated this once before, but while Pascal is associated with this theory, the passage in question is actually a very effective DISMISSAL of this 'gambit.' For somebody who makes use of this sort of table to argue in favor of the religious life, you have to look at William James, I think.

AlexB · 02-03-2006, 07:30 PM

deleted

Raiders Army · 02-03-2006, 08:12 PM

Just something funny about this thread being started by "thealmighty"

Dutch · 02-03-2006, 08:50 PM

"I don't know if there is a God or not, but I pray every god-damned day....just in case." - Chris Rock.

02-03-2006, 09:02 AM	#3
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Blaise Pascal, most notably. wiki link Last edited by QuikSand : 02-03-2006 at 09:04 AM.

02-03-2006, 10:22 AM	#6
thealmighty Pro Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: heaven	...and I didn't ask about the positives/negatives of the gambit, just where it originated. Feel free to discuss, though, if you feel like it. __________________ Check out The Unofficial FOFC Movie Guide Here

02-03-2006, 07:28 PM	#8
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	I stated this once before, but while Pascal is associated with this theory, the passage in question is actually a very effective DISMISSAL of this 'gambit.' For somebody who makes use of this sort of table to argue in favor of the religious life, you have to look at William James, I think. __________________ co-commish: bb-bbcf.net knives out

02-03-2006, 07:30 PM	#9
AlexB Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Newbury, England	deleted __________________ 'A song is a beautiful lie', Idlewild, Self Healer. When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you. Sports! Last edited by AlexB : 02-03-2006 at 07:34 PM.

02-03-2006, 09:01 AM	#2
MalcPow College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego	What about all those possibilities where you're believing in the wrong God?

02-03-2006, 08:12 PM	#10
Raiders Army Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Black Hole	Just something funny about this thread being started by "thealmighty"

02-03-2006, 08:50 PM	#11
Dutch "Dutch" Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Tampa, FL	"I don't know if there is a God or not, but I pray every god-damned day....just in case." - Chris Rock.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)