Question 1

Parsons says that "the real implication of Epicurus' argument is that such a God does not exist." First, explain Epicurus' argument. Second, discuss why you agree or disagree with the conclusion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Parsons says that "the real implication of...

Question 2

Do you agree with Parsons when he says, "if any (even one) actual evil is gratuitous, that is, if a perfectly good, all-powerful creator would not have a morally sufficient reason for permitting it, then God cannot exist"? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you agree with Parsons when he...

Question 3

Explain what Parsons means when he says, "Since God created nature and human beings, it must follow that God, at least indirectly, is the creator of both natural and moral evil.

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The answer of Explain what Parsons means when he says,...

Question 4

What does Parsons mean by a "morally sufficient reason"?

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Question 5

Explain the difference between actual evils and gratuitous evils.

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Pascal says, "It is ______________ that there should be a God, and ______________ that there should not be a God."
A) certain; uncertain
B) incomprehensible; incomprehensible
C) doubtful; impossible
D) understandable; unbelievable

Accepted Answer

Pascal's wager argues that human reason cannot determine the existence of God, making it incomprehensible both that there should be a God and that there should not be one.

Question 7

Pascal says, "But we know neither the existence nor the nature of God, because he has neither ..."
A) dimension nor limits.
B) body nor mind.
C) perceptions nor conceptions.
D) consciousness nor unconsciousness.

Accepted Answer

Pascal's quote reflects on the incomprehensibility of God's nature, emphasizing that God transcends physical attributes such as "dimension" and "limits," which are human ways of understanding existence.

Question 8

Pascal says, "If there is a God, He is infinitely ..."
A) large.
B) wise.
C) incomprehensible.
D) omnipotent.

Accepted Answer

Pascal's quote continues, "...we cannot understand; and we are incapable of knowing either what He is or if He is." This suggests that Pascal believed that God's nature is beyond human comprehension, making option C, incomprehensible, the best choice.

Question 9

Pascal asserts that "Let us then examine this point, and say, 'God is, or He is not.' But to which side shall we incline? ______ can determine nothing about it."
A) Faith
B) Experiments
C) Nature
D) Reason

Accepted Answer

Pascal argues that reason cannot determine whether God exists or not, and therefore we cannot rely on it to decide which side to incline towards.

Question 10

Pascal claims that you must wager that either God exists or He doesn't exist. "Let us weigh the two cases: if you gain, you gain _______; if you lose, you lose _______. Wager then unhesitatingly that He exists."
A) a soul; a body
B) all; nothing
C) heaven; hell
D) bliss; misery

Accepted Answer

Pascal's Wager argues that if you believe in God and He exists, you gain everything (eternal happiness in heaven), but if you're wrong, you lose nothing. Conversely, if you don't believe and God does exist, you lose everything (eternal damnation).

Question 11

Pascal says, "We know truth, not only by our reason, but also by our ________; and it is from this last that we know first principles; and reason, which has nothing to do with it, tries in vain to combat them."
A) body
B) thoughts
C) heart
D) perceptions

Accepted Answer

Pascal argues that truth is not only known by reason but also by the heart, and that first principles are known first through the heart rather than reason. Pascal believed that reason alone cannot challenge these first principles or "truths," which are known through the heart. Therefore, the best choice for the missing word is "heart."

Question 12

Pascal says, "It is understandable that there should be a God, and unbelievable that there should not be a God."

Accepted Answer

Pascal is known for Pascal's Wager, which argues that it is in one's best interest to behave as if God exists, because the potential benefits outweigh the potential costs. However, the quote as given does not accurately reflect his views or any specific statement he made. It simplifies and misrepresents his more nuanced philosophical argument.

Question 13

Pascal says, "But we know neither the existence nor the nature of God, because he has neither dimension nor limits."

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects Pascal's belief in the limitations of human understanding when it comes to comprehending the nature of God.

Question 14

Pascal says, "If there is a God, He is infinitely incomprehensible."

Accepted Answer

According to Pascal, if God exists, He is infinitely incomprehensible and beyond human understanding.

Question 15

Pascal asserts that "Let us then examine this point, and say, 'God is, or He is not.' But to which side shall we incline? Reason can determine nothing about it."

Accepted Answer

Pascal's assertion as stated in the given quote is that reason cannot determine whether God exists or not, and therefore we must examine both possibilities and make a choice without relying on reason alone.

Question 16

Pascal claims that you must wager that either God exists or He doesn't exist. "Let us weigh the two cases: if you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager then unhesitatingly that He exists."

Accepted Answer

Pascal's famous argument is known as Pascal's Wager, which states that the rational decision is to believe in God, since if God exists, then the believer gains eternal life, but if God does not exist, then the believer loses nothing.

Question 17

Pascal says, "We know truth, not only by our reason, but also by our perceptions; and it is from this last that we know first principles; and reason, which has nothing to do with it, tries in vain to combat them."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Pascal says, "We know truth, not only...

Question 18

Explain how Pascal supports the following claim: "It is incomprehensible that there should be a God, and incomprehensible that there should not be a God."

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Question 19

What argument does Pascal provide when he says, "But we know neither the existence nor the nature of God, because he has neither dimension nor limits"?

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Question 20

According to Pascal, for the statement, "God is, or He is not," Reason can determine nothing about it. Why does Pascal claim this about "Reason"?

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Quiz 4: Plato the Beginning of Everything