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Gambling on God

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When reading contemporary works of atheism, the authors always like to include a snippet of derision for Pascal's Wager: an argument for belief in God's existence - not an argument for God's existence (often such a distinction is not made). Even when reading the scholarship of Christian philosophers and theologians, Pascal's Wager still comes under fire for it's gross pragmatism.

In this fine collection of 10 essays, Jeff Jordan has compiled the thoughts of several philosophers on the subject of Pascal's Wager. Some of the ideas present therein: precursors to the wager, the logic of the wager, are pragmatic reasons for belief ever justifiable?, how does evidence mesh with the wager, moral objections and responses to the wager, the many gods objection, finite and infinite decision theory. I found Chapter 3-7, and 10 to be the best. Chapters 8 and 9 get quite technical in terms of logic and probability. McClennen's chapter 9 was the one most hostile to Pascal's enterprise. Not to say that all other essays are overwhelmingly supportive but they do express some support with quid pro quos. Besides Chapters 8 and 9, the rest of the essays are very accessible reading - and relatively light for philosophy.

Strongly recommended to anyone with an interest in apologetics, decision theory, or the philosophy of belief.
As a longtime fan of Pascal, it was nice to see some vindication for his most famous wager.

This book discusses a very intriguing argument that technically and non-technically inclined people will find fascinating. The delicate topic of the existence of God is handled in a way that no one will find offensive.