h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Not sure this hasn't been discussed before...
I think a possible objection to Pascal's Wager that you've not included, is that some people (myself included) don't really find it possible to choose to believe in something one doesn't think is true. Pascal's Wager says: 'believe it, because it's better for you if its true, and doesn't matter if its false'. Well yes, very nice, but I don't have that choice.
Is this uncommon? How do you go about deciding to change what you believe? Sure you can choose to research it, and choose to work out the arguments and evidence, but that's entirely different from altering your beliefs by willpower.

I thought I'd included this, but you're right, I hadn't. Oops. Will fix it now.

Pascal had thought of this objection, and his response was that though it might be difficult to change ones belief directly, one could try to do so. One can spend time in church, reading holy texts, and praying, and so forth. Gradually, acting as though one believes something is supposed to be likely to lead to eventually believing that thing. Modern psychology theories partially support him in this idea.

That's a pretty scary thought. Your opinion of what is true can be changed by the way you act. Though clearly what *is* true is unchanged by what you do. Well, unless you're talking about if the washing up has been done or not. Ahem, anyway. Good guide entry.