Second Midterm Topic Option #1:
The basic idea here is to write up an assessment of Pascal's famous risk-analysis
argument for belief in the existence of God. In particular, you might do the following:
(1) Describe Pascal's argument,
(2) Give a Jamesian interpretation of this argument, and
(3) Assess for yourself the cogency of Pascal's argument, when it is given
such a pragmatist interpretation. Do you think, for instance, that James' views
on religious faith can be effectively used to render Pascal's wager more defensible?
Below are links to a number of primary and secondary references you will find necessary in connection with this assignment.
"The Pragmatic Defense of Faith," by Blase Pascal