In our life we are confronted with numerous alleged miracles, like miracle babies, miracle drugs or even inventions and products that are supposed to work miracles.
While this use of the term "miracle" is very broad, often arbitrary, and due to our linguistic usage, miracles embedded in religious context find a very different connotation and impact. Theistic religions are mainly based on miracles, rely on them, or use them to explain, convince and encourage belief in their God. Miracles thereby - should they really exist - evoke different reactions. While some see in miracles how their God manifests himself, others see - if at all - only unusual natural events. In philosophy, the religious use of miracles forms a problem that raises two different questions: What is a miracle? And: Can we ever have good reason to believe that a miracle has actually taken place?
These two questions were addressed by numerous philosophers and theologians, among them the famous Scottish philosopher, economist and historian David Hume. In his 1748 work An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding, he presents both a definition of miracles and a critique of the credibility of reported miracles, which is until today often referenced in the scientific discussion about miracles. The aim of this paper is to answer the following questions: What is Hume’s argument concerning Miracles? What criticisms can be raised against his approach? And: Is Hume's position convincing? To answer these, the work will be divided into four different sections. The first segment consists of the introduction and is intended to provide a brief introduction and present the structure of this essay. In the second part, I portray Hume’s definition of miracles followed by his argumentation regarding the credibility of miracles testimonies. The third part contains various points of criticism, which have been expressed over the years. Finally, the results are evaluated, and it is answered to the third question mentioned above.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Introduction
- II. Hume's "Of Miracles"
- III. Critics
- IV. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze David Hume's argument against miracles, examining his definition of miracles, his critique of miracle testimonies, and the criticisms levied against his approach. It ultimately seeks to evaluate the persuasiveness of Hume's position.
- Hume's definition of a miracle
- Hume's argument against the credibility of miracle reports
- Criticisms of Hume's argument
- The role of experience and probability in evaluating claims
- The relationship between miracles and natural laws
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the varied uses of the term "miracle," highlighting the particularly significant role of miracles in theistic religions and the philosophical problems they pose. It introduces the central questions addressed by the paper: What constitutes a miracle? And, can we ever justifiably believe a miracle has occurred? The chapter then introduces David Hume and his influential work, "An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding," which provides a definition of miracles and critiques their credibility. The chapter concludes by outlining the paper's structure and objectives, which include presenting Hume's argument, examining criticisms, and evaluating the overall persuasiveness of Hume's position.
II. Hume's "Of Miracles": This chapter delves into Hume's essay "Of Miracles," specifically focusing on his central argument concerning the credibility of miracle reports. Hume defines a miracle as a transgression of a law of nature caused by a supernatural agent. The chapter explores Hume's emphasis on experience as the primary guide in reasoning about matters of fact, acknowledging that experience, while crucial, is not infallible. He argues that the credibility of a miracle report is inversely proportional to its extraordinariness; the more unusual the event, the less likely it is to be true, even with credible witnesses. Hume suggests it's always more probable that a witness is mistaken or lying than that a miracle has occurred, given the lack of prior experience with similar events. The chapter also touches on Hume's views on causality, suggesting that our understanding of cause and effect is based on consistent observation and the establishment of probabilities.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Miracles, David Hume, natural laws, experience, probability, testimony, credibility, supernatural, skepticism, religious belief, causality.
Frequently asked questions about the language preview
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This language preview focuses on an analysis of David Hume's argument against miracles, specifically his essay "Of Miracles."
What are the objectives of the paper this preview describes?
The paper aims to analyze Hume's argument against miracles, examining his definition of miracles, his critique of miracle testimonies, and the criticisms levied against his approach. It ultimately seeks to evaluate the persuasiveness of Hume's position.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include Hume's definition of a miracle, his argument against the credibility of miracle reports, criticisms of Hume's argument, the role of experience and probability in evaluating claims, and the relationship between miracles and natural laws.
What does the first chapter (Introduction) cover?
The introduction sets the stage by discussing the varied uses of the term "miracle," highlighting their significance in theistic religions and the philosophical problems they pose. It introduces the central questions: What constitutes a miracle? And, can we ever justifiably believe a miracle has occurred?
What does the second chapter (Hume's "Of Miracles") cover?
This chapter delves into Hume's essay, focusing on his central argument concerning the credibility of miracle reports. It explores Hume's definition of a miracle, his emphasis on experience, and his argument that the credibility of a miracle report is inversely proportional to its extraordinariness.
How does Hume define a miracle, according to the text?
According to the text, Hume defines a miracle as a transgression of a law of nature caused by a supernatural agent.
What are some of the keywords associated with this topic?
The keywords include Miracles, David Hume, natural laws, experience, probability, testimony, credibility, supernatural, skepticism, religious belief, and causality.
What does the paper say about Hume's view on causality?
The paper touches on Hume's view that our understanding of cause and effect is based on consistent observation and the establishment of probabilities.
- Quote paper
- Liz Meyers (Author), 2023, Hume’s argument against miracles, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1559823
