Gamboling with Odds

One such argument was first formalized by French mathematician Blaise Pascal in his posthumous 1670 work, Pensees, as an argument for believing in Christianity.

'formalized' is important as there have been prior arguments that anticipate some forms of Pascal's reasonings, the Apaṇṇaka Sutta (MN60) being perhaps the earliest known. 'reasonings' is plural on account of there being apparently at least four forms of Pascal's wager in Pensées.

"That's a nice thought exercise, but suppose we go for a walk?"