A Survey on Pragmatic Argument and Rationality about Belief of God Existence; Focus on James and Pascal Viewpoint

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Eslamimehr, Mohammad Hossein | 2016

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Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
Language: Farsi
Document No: 49126 (42)
University: Sharif University of Technology
Department: Philosophy of Science
Advisor(s): Azadegan, Ebrahim
Abstract:
Think of an Alpine hiker who because of avalanche and a blinding blizzard, is stranded on a desolate, mountain path facing a chasm. The hiker cannot return the way he came because of the avalanche, yet, if he stays where he is, he will freeze as the temperature plummets. The hiker’s only real hope is to jump the chasm. Knowing that exertion generally follows belief, the hiker realizes that his attempt will be half-hearted, diminishing his chance of survival, unless he brings himself to the belief that he can make the jump. In circumstances like these, one is clearly justified both in forming beliefs motivated by pragmatic reasons, and in suppressing beliefs (I cannot make the jump) motivated by pragmatic reasons .The main question here is that if forming a belief about God existence like the above argument is true? In this thesis I have studied on pragmatic arguments in order to find that forming such belief about God is rational or not
Keywords:
Rationality ; Pascal's Wager ; Pragmatic Argument ; Moral Duty ; Theism

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