Teaching Philosophy

Volume 19, Issue 4, December 1996

Pascal’s Wager Updated

This paper outlines a formal application of the decision tree analysis technique to Pascal's Wager. The author utilizes Pascal's Wager to engage students in various methods for interpreting and utilizing decision tree analyses. The method targets students’ comprehension of the reward system as it is interpreted in Pascal's philosophy. In addition, students are able to engage with philosophical questions concerning the existence of God in view of the questions’ application.