What is the Atheist's Wager?

The Atheist's wager is a philosophical counter-argument to Pascal's wager, suggesting that living a good moral life without religion is the most rational choice. Coined by philosopher Michael Martin in 1990, it posits that a benevolent and just god would reward good deeds and honesty rather than punitive belief. Consequently, an individual gains a positive legacy if no gods exist and avoids the trap of inauthentic belief, contrasting with Pascal's focus on divine punishment for disbelief.

What we know

• The Atheist's wager was coined by philosopher Michael Martin and published in his 1990 book Atheism: A Philosophical Justification. [1, 2]
• One version of the argument suggests that if a kind and loving god exists, they would reward good deeds, while good deeds still leave a positive legacy if no gods exist. [2]
• The argument contrasts with Pascal's wager by assuming a god who is benevolent and just rather than arbitrary or punitive regarding human actions. [2, 3]
• Other formulations suggest that a god might reward honest disbelief and punish a dishonest belief in the divine. [2]

Where to go next

• compared withHow does Pascal's wager frame the existence of God?
• whoWho was philosopher Michael Martin?
• the bigger pictureWhat are the core arguments for atheism?
• how it workedHow do critics address inauthentic belief in religious arguments?
• what followedWhat is the New Atheism movement?
• an unexpected connectionHow does decision theory connect to philosophical wagers on divinity?Pascal's wager represents the first formal application of decision theory, bridging mathematical optimization with theological existentialism.

Sources

• [1]Atheist's Wager (Wikidata Q3434429) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Atheist's wager · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Pascal's wager · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Atheism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]New Atheism · CC BY-SA 4.0