[Buddha-l] Batchelor

[Itamar Bashan]

-----Original Message-----
From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com
[mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Joy Vriens
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 6:29 PM
To: Buddhist discussion forum
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] Batchelor

Shen Shi'an wrote:


> Nay... not even close. Pascal's wager clearly lacks intelligence. It might
> work in urging a life of goodness to some extent, but fails in the
> department of truth as a proof. As Voltaire put it, it is "indecent and
> childish... the interest I have to believe a thing is no proof that such a
> thing exists." In a way, the Four Assurances by the Buddha are the
opposite
> - promotes true objective thinking and goodness at the same time.
>
> Voltaire : " l'intérêt que j'aie à croire à une chose n'est pas une preuve
de l'existence de cette chose ". Pascal, who was neither "indécent" or
"puéril", never pretended to prove the existence of God. His wager shows the
advantage of believing in God or rather of living one's life according to
that belief. Pascal's God was not the caricature that Voltaire or others
thought he believed in. If one doesn't see that, one is totally missing
Pascal's point.
As for Pascal's wager clearly lacking intelligence, I disagree. Generally,
having an optimistic outlook on things rather than a pessimistic one, makes
for a happier person. In both cases the things have the same truth for those
for whom truth and proof of truth are important. When one has a naive view
of God, like most atheists have, it may be important to know whether she
really exists or not, so that one doesn't exhaust oneself trying to lead a
good life *for nothing*... All ideals, noble or less noble, fail in the
department of truth. Believing in Peace? Childish, but I will take the
wager. Nirvana, cessation of suffering? Can you prove such a thing exists? I
don't care, but I will play. Rien ne va plus.

I read Pascal's apology (Pensées) twice. Once like Voltaire must have read
him. The second time with an open mind trying to go beyond the terminology.
I found him very inspiring. The man's style (in French) is sublime and his
thinking is crystal clear. Of course he has his beliefs, but who hasn't.

Joy

To "prove" that Pascal's wager can be won during one's life : "Joie, Joie,
Joie, pleurs de joie" and "Eternellement en joie pour un jour d'exercice sur
la terre". From : Le Mémorial de Blaise Pascal
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