Parker's Pensées Ep. 70 - What Is Pascal's Wager & Is It a Good Line of Reasoning? w/Dr. Liz Jackson
Feb 24, 2021
In this discussion, Dr. Liz Jackson, an assistant professor of philosophy at Ryerson University, delves into the intricacies of Pascal's Wager. She explores its implications on belief and rationality, examining ethical concerns and how individuals navigate conflicting evidence. The conversation also tackles criticisms of the wager, such as the 'many gods objection,' and challenges within decision theory involving infinities. Liz highlights the importance of a rational approach to faith, encouraging personal quests for truth amidst complex theological debates.
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Raised In A Ministry Family
- Liz grew up in a ministry family and lived seven years in Budapest due to her parents' work.
- She also did an internship with Cru and played college basketball before grad school.
From Credences To The Wager
- Liz's dissertation studied the relation between belief and credence, linking epistemology to Bayesian ideas.
- Early interest in decision theory with friends led her to Pascal's wager research.
Wager Framed As Risk-Reward
- Pascal's wager argues you should believe in God because the risk-reward trade-off favors belief.
- Believing could yield potentially infinite gain if God exists versus only finite costs if God does not.
