"For us let it be enough to know ourselves to be in the place where God wants us, and carry on our work, even though it be no more than the work of an ant, infinitesimally small, and with unforeseeable results."
-- Abbé Monchanin

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Pascal and Climate Change

Not Faux news, but don't blame the messenger for the message. (A news report on climate change)

I suggest that climate change doubters consider an update of Pascal's wager. Remember Pascal said that if we wager that there is no God and are right, we've gained nothing. If we wager that there is no God and we're wrong, we lose everything. If we wager there is a God and we lose, we lose nothing. If we wager there is a God and win, we win everything. So, it is better to wager that there is a God.

In the same way, if we wager climate change is not taking place and win, we win nothing. If we wager climate change is not taking place and lose, we contribute to the destruction of our world. If we wager climate change is taking place and it is not, we lose nothing and may even gain from a more constructive life style. If we wager climate change is taking place and win, we can reverse the course of destruction and save our world.

Which is the wiser wager? Count the costs.

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