RELIGION AS AN AREA OF KNOWLEDGE 3

GOD MATTERS XS IB CLE 2011-2012 REASON AS A WAY OF KNOWING IN RELIGION AND MORALITY REASON is a valuable way of knowing in the areas of RELIGIOUS BELIEFS and MORALITY, but it is used differently from SCIENCE (especially Physical Science). Read on Pascals Wager (Section III, #184-185, #233 par 67-69) by clicking this link. What rational argument does Pascal use to try to convince us that it makes more sense to believe in God than not to believe in God? Complete the diagram below by specifying the consequences in each box. IF GOD DOES NOT EXIST There is nothing to lose. IF YOU BELIEVE IN GOD You are right, but it doesnt matter. IF YOU DONT BELIEVE IN GOD If there is a God, He is innitely incomprehensible, since, having neither parts nor limits, He has no afnity to us. We are then incapable of knowing either what He is or if He is. This being so, who will dare to undertake the decision of the question? Not we, who have no afnity to Him. IF GOD EXISTS If you gain, you gain it all.

In no more than two sentences, summarize Pascals main argument as illustrated in the diagram above? Do you personally nd it persuasive or powerful? Why or why not? Do you nd it limited? If so, in what way? One must make his own decision whether or not he believes in God, and by doing so, one must make a rm choice even though risks are involved. In my opinion, I nd it powerful because it somehow challenges and intimidates someone to take a side.

Answer this question then discuss with your group: How does the REASONING used by Pascal differ from REASONING in other domains of knowledge? The reasoning he used I quite different from the reasoning in the other domains of knowledge because reason acts as something that proves something as conclusive. There are proofs to Gods existence, however, opinions of different people would often make it difcult to determine whether or not God is real and whether we should develop faith in him.