ABSTRACT

The first main subdivision within the basic arguments for the existence of God is the as-if approach. The as-if approach emphasizes the fact that actions speak louder than words. For Blaise Pascal the fact of original sin is part of natural theology rather than only a revealed doctrine. Pascal avoids the two extremes of atheism, which is the self-deception of self-reliance, and deism, which he thinks is based upon a pride in our ability to have a completely naturalistic knowledge of God all on our own without a mediator. Voltaire is one of Pascal's biggest fans as well as one of his severest critics. For Immanuel Kant there is nothing good except a good will. He expects people to be moral for the sake of being moral. As a psychologist, William James thought his position much better than the cold, calculating position of Pascal. James learned that the secret to happiness is to emphasize one's creativity as a human being.