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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (1566706)	10/20/2025 1:19:31 PM
From: Maple MAGA	1 Recommendation Recommended By longz Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1570270

"But if you ever hear a man telling you that you must be happy, that it’s your natural right, that your first duty is to yourself, that will be the man who has nothing to gain from you. But let him come and you’ll scream your empty heads off, howling that he’s a selfish monster." AYN RAND Pascal's Wager is: a philosophical argument by Blaise Pascal that suggests it is rational to believe in God, as the potential infinite reward of eternal life outweighs any finite loss from believing if God does not exist. Conversely, not believing risks an infinite loss if God exists (eternal damnation). The argument doesn't attempt to prove God's existence, but rather to show that belief is the most logical bet based on self-interest and probability, especially since evidence can't definitively settle the question. The Wager: The core of the argument is a decision-theory grid: If God exists and you believe: You gain infinite reward (heaven). If God exists and you don't believe: You face infinite loss (hell). If God doesn't exist: The outcome is finite, whether you believe or not. Any gains or losses from believing are minor compared to the infinite stakes of the first two scenarios. The Conclusion: Because the potential reward of believing is infinite and the potential loss of not believing is infinite, while the outcomes if God doesn't exist are only finite, the most rational choice is to bet on belief. The Purpose: The wager is not meant to be a proof of God's existence but a pragmatic argument to encourage belief. Pascal intended it to be a starting point for individuals to consider the afterlife and begin a search for faith, suggesting that indifference is the greater failure. Eudaimonia is: an ancient Greek term for a state of flourishing, living well, and fulfilling one's potential, often translated as "happiness" but encompassing a deeper, more stable form of well-being than momentary pleasure. It is achieved through living a life of virtue, purpose, and reason, and is considered the highest human good. Key components include developing one's character, living in alignment with one's values, and striving for excellence.