Again, is it the argument that is wrong, or Pascal's application of it?
(Can you confirm whether you down-voted me because it's off-topic and inflammatory, or because I'm wrong?)
Again, is it the argument that is wrong, or Pascal's application of it?
It is always wrong to give weight to hypotheses beyond that justified by the evidence and the length penality (and your prior, but Pascal attempts to show what you should do irrespective of prior). Pascal's application is a special case of this error, and his reasoning about possible infinite utility is compounded by the fact that you can construct contradictory advice that is equally well-grounded.
...(Can you confirm whether you down-voted me because it's off-topic and inflammatory,
It has been claimed on this site that the fundamental question of rationality is "What do you believe, and why do you believe it?".
A good question it is, but I claim there is another of equal importance. I ask you, Less Wrong...
What are you doing?
And why are you doing it?