PHL105Y5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Theism, Agnosticism
Document Summary
Don"t wager that god exists y1 n1 y2 n2. There are two possibilities: either god exists or god doesn"t exist. There are two options available: wager that god exists or don"t wager that god exists. Clearly, y1 is vastly preferable to n1; on the other hand, y2 and n2 come to much the same. !if god exists, one is better off wagering that he does than wagering that he doesn"t. !if god does not exist, one is no worse off wagering that he does than wagering that he doesn"t. Pascal assumes that if god doesn"t exist, then we shall be indifferent with regard to the consequences of either course of action. But the atheist may not like giving up his or her weekends, wearing hairshirts, etc. !the expected utility of theism is: (. 5 x 4 ) + (. 5 x -36) = 4. !the expected utility of atheism or agnosticism is: (. 5 x -4 ) + (. 5 x 36) = -4.
