Pascal Argues That If We Do a Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Matter

question 7

True/False

Pascal argues that if we do a cost-benefit analysis of the matter, it turns out that it is eminently reasonable to get ourselves to believe that God exists, regardless of whether we have good evidence for that belief. The argument goes something like this: Regarding the proposition "God exists," reason is neutral. It can neither prove nor disprove it. But we must make a choice on this matter because not to choose for God is in effect to choose against God and lose the possible benefits that belief would bring. Because these benefits of faith promise to be infinite and the loss equally infinite, we must take a gamble on faith.
-Pascal believes that God favors honest doubters who use their God-given power of reasoning to believe only according to the evidence.

---

Definitions:

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter and hormone important in the fight or flight response, involved in arousal and regulation of blood pressure.

Adrenal Gland

A gland above the kidney that produces hormones related to stress responses and blood pressure regulation.

Hormone

A chemical substance produced in the body that regulates and controls the activity of certain cells or organs.

Bloodstream

The flowing body fluid that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells.