The logistics of faith vs. no faith
In some research on euthanasia, I came across this interesting quote:
"But what if something really important happens in the process of dying? If we hasten dying, we circumvent what might be an important process and risk a diminishment of the good attached. This is something it is impossible to know, which makes it difficult to decide the best action. Blaise Pascal, a 17th-century Catholic monk and mathematician, developed a decision-making scheme that can be useful in such circumstances of uncertainty. Pascal's most well-known application of his theory was his argument in favor of faith in the existence of the god described in the Judeo-Christian tradition. If God does not exist, he reasoned, having faith or no faith is of no consequence. On the other hand, if God does exist, having faith and living accordingly will be greatly rewarding whereas having no faith will be catastrophic. Therefore, based on the risk associated with lack of faith and on the comparatively small burden associated with having faith, it is best to cultivate faith in God and live according to God's laws."
Day, Lisa. "Questions concerning the goodness of hastening death." American Journal of Critical Care 15.3 (May 2006): 312(3). Health Reference Center Academic. Thomson Gale. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 7 Nov. 2006
"But what if something really important happens in the process of dying? If we hasten dying, we circumvent what might be an important process and risk a diminishment of the good attached. This is something it is impossible to know, which makes it difficult to decide the best action. Blaise Pascal, a 17th-century Catholic monk and mathematician, developed a decision-making scheme that can be useful in such circumstances of uncertainty. Pascal's most well-known application of his theory was his argument in favor of faith in the existence of the god described in the Judeo-Christian tradition. If God does not exist, he reasoned, having faith or no faith is of no consequence. On the other hand, if God does exist, having faith and living accordingly will be greatly rewarding whereas having no faith will be catastrophic. Therefore, based on the risk associated with lack of faith and on the comparatively small burden associated with having faith, it is best to cultivate faith in God and live according to God's laws."
Day, Lisa. "Questions concerning the goodness of hastening death." American Journal of Critical Care 15.3 (May 2006): 312(3). Health Reference Center Academic. Thomson Gale. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 7 Nov. 2006
posted by Sara | 11:15 AM
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