Pascal’s wager : tracking an intended reader in the structure
of the argument

J 2016

Pascal’s wager : tracking an intended reader in the structure of the argument

SVAČINOVÁ, Iva

Basic information

Original name

Pascal’s wager : tracking an intended reader in the structure of the argument

Authors

SVAČINOVÁ, Iva (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Argument: Biannual Philosophical Journal, Krakow, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Deptartment of Philosophy and Sociology, 2016, 2084-1043

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

60300 6.3 Philosophy, Ethics and Religion

Country of publisher

Poland

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14210/16:00093513

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

Keywords in English

argumentation structure; Pascal’s wager; pragma dialectics; rhetorical analysis; strategic maneuvering; topical potential

Abstract

V originále

Pascal’s wager is the name of an argument in favor of belief in God presented by Blaise Pascal in §233 of Thoughts. Ian Hacking (1972) pointed out that Pascal’s text involves three different versions of the argument. This paper proceeds from this identification, but it concerns an examination of the rhetorical strategy realized by Pascal’s argumentation. The final form of Pascal’s argument is considered as a product that could be established only through a specific process of persuasion led with respect to an intended reader with a particular set of initial beliefs. The text uses insights from the pragma dialectical approach to argumentation, especially the concept of rhetorical effectiveness of particular choices from the topical potential. The argumentation structure of Pascal’s wager is considered to be a reflection of the anticipated course of dialogue with the reader critically testing the sustainability of Pascal’s standpoint “You should believe in God”. Based on the argumentation reconstruction of three versions of the argument, Pascal’s idea of opponent/audience is identified. A rhetorical analysis of the effects of his argumentative strategy is proposed. The analysis is based on two perspectives on Pascal’s argument: it examines the strategy implemented consistently by all arguments and the strategy of a formulation of different versions of the wager.

Links

MUNI/A/0991/2015, interní kód MU

Name: Perspektivy a výzvy filozofických zkoumání

Investor: Masaryk University, Category A

Citovat

SVAČINOVÁ, Iva. Pascal’s wager : tracking an intended reader in the structure of the argument. Argument: Biannual Philosophical Journal. Krakow: Pedagogical University of Cracow, Deptartment of Philosophy and Sociology, 2016, vol. 6, No 2, p. 391-412. ISSN 2084-1043.

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   author = {Svačinová, Iva},
   article_location = {Krakow},
   article_number = {2},
   keywords = {argumentation structure; Pascal’s wager; pragma dialectics; rhetorical analysis; strategic maneuvering; topical potential},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {2084-1043},
   journal = {Argument: Biannual Philosophical Journal},
   title = {Pascal’s wager : tracking an intended reader in the structure of the argument},
   url = {http://www.argument-journal.eu/tom-6-numer-2?lang=en},
   volume = {6},
   year = {2016}
}

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PB  - Pedagogical University of Cracow, Deptartment of Philosophy and Sociology
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N2  - Pascal’s wager is the name of an argument in favor of belief in God presented by Blaise Pascal in §233 of Thoughts. Ian Hacking (1972) pointed out that Pascal’s text involves three different versions of the argument. This paper proceeds from this identification, but it concerns an examination of the rhetorical strategy realized by Pascal’s argumentation. The final form of Pascal’s argument is considered as a product that could be established only through a specific process of persuasion led with respect to an intended reader with a particular set of initial beliefs. The text uses insights from the pragma dialectical approach to argumentation, especially the concept of rhetorical effectiveness of particular choices from the topical potential. The argumentation structure of Pascal’s wager is considered to be a reflection of the anticipated course of dialogue with the reader critically testing the sustainability of Pascal’s standpoint “You should believe in God”. Based on the argumentation reconstruction of three versions of the argument, Pascal’s idea of opponent/audience is identified. A rhetorical analysis of the effects of his argumentative strategy is proposed. The analysis is based on two perspectives on Pascal’s argument: it examines the strategy implemented consistently by all arguments and the strategy of a formulation of different versions of the wager.
ER  -

SVAČINOVÁ, Iva. Pascal’s wager : tracking an intended reader in the structure of the argument. \textit{Argument: Biannual Philosophical Journal}. Krakow: Pedagogical University of Cracow, Deptartment of Philosophy and Sociology, 2016, vol.~6, No~2, p.~391-412. ISSN~2084-1043.

Detailed Information on Publication Record