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"Of Miracles" is the tenth section of David Hume's An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748). In this piece, Hume states that evidence of miracles is never sufficient for rational belief.
11 paź 2010 · David Hume (Hume 1748/2000; cf. Voltaire 1764/1901: 272) famously defined a miracle as “a violation of the laws of nature,” and this definition has been the focus of lively discussion ever since.
An overview of the philosophical issues and arguments surrounding the concept of miracles, especially in relation to theistic religion. Includes Hume's definition and critique of miracles, as well as alternative views and challenges.
14 cze 2007 · Philosophers continue to debate about David Hume's case against the rationality of belief in miracles. This article clarifies semantic, epistemological, and metaphysical questions addressed in the controversy. It also explains the main premises of Hume's argument and discusses criticisms of them.
My aim here is to summarise what I take to be the most plausible views on these issues, both interpretative and phi-losophical, with references to facilitate deeper investigation if desired. The paper is divided into small sections, each headed by a question that provides a focus. Broadly speaking, §§13 and §20 are on.
In the very paragraph where Hume first defines ‘miracle,’ he says that “it is a miracle, that a dead man should come to life” (E 115: 143). What is more revealing is the reason he gives: “because that has never been observed in any age or country.”
The Scottish philosopher and historian David Hume argued that our evidence for a miracle happening could never outweigh the strength of the evidence that it had not. The evidence could be equal, but never greater.
