I learned from Hacking's _The Emergence of Probability_ that Pascal's Wager was one of the first uses of probability in decision theory, and I grew to respect it a bit more. The assumptions behind it are obviously silly, but it did genuinely break new conceptual ground.
7 yo independently discovered Pascal's Wager. I explained it also meant he had to believe in the giant robotic rabbit who controlled the universe from a cave under Arizona. Unfortunately he agreed immediately and asked for more details.
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In what way are the assumptions obviously silly?
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Praise be to Mecha Thumper
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But is the rabbit threatening us with hell? Don’t think so, so Pascal’s wager doesn’t apply right?
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Is the rabbit willing to give His life out of love to promise deliverance from hell and the assurance of life extraordinaire? I guess that is also an amazing question.
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Pascal invented probabilities, and hell was a credible threat to him. That’s why he took the wager. The 7 yo might not think the rabbit is credible
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Does the threat of hell have to be credible? I thought the argument it was safer to believe regardless of credibility
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Other than just spending time with your kids talking to them, any additional thoughts on ways to deliberate nurture their curiosity and understanding of the world? Oldest is turning 4 now
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Figure out what they're especially interested in (at 4 it may be pretty random) and encourage them to specialize to a preposterous degree.
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It's true. I live in Arizona and I have heard the rabbit come out at night looking for carrot oil to keep rust free.
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