Pascal's wager


noun
  1. the argument put forth by Blaise Pascal that it is in one's best interest to believe in the existence of God, as it is a rational assumption and does no harm, and the possibility of eternal punishment in hell outweighs any advantage of believing otherwise.

Origin of Pascal's wager

1
First recorded in 1895–1900; named after Pascal, who formulated his proposition in his Pensées

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British Dictionary definitions for Pascal's wager

Pascal's wager

noun
  1. philosophy the argument that it is in one's rational self-interest to act as if God exists, since the infinite punishments of hell, provided they have a positive probability, however small, outweigh any countervailing advantage

Origin of Pascal's wager

1
C17: named after Blaise Pascal

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