Miracles Flashcards
What are the THREE definitions of ‘Miracle’
1- An event that has religious significance
2- An event caused by God (Paul Tillich says this fits smoothly into pre-rationalist understanding of the world- must be astonishing but also point to the ‘mystery of being’)
3- An event that violates the laws of nature caused by God
What does Aquinas say about miracle (quote)
“beyond the order commonly observed in nature
What are the roles of miracles within religion (3 reasons)
1- Signs to demonstrate God’s underlying activity in the world
2- Support the development of religious faith
3- Highlight Revelation through scripture
What do we mean by ‘defining miracles out of existence’
Law of nature can’t be violated, if a law is broken it ceases to exist.
What does Hick say about miracles (quote)
‘In order to be miraculous, an event must be experienced as religiously significant’
What does Wittgenstein say about miracles (quote)
“A miracle is, as it were, as gesture that God makes”
What is Swinburne’s definition of a miracle (quote)
“A transgression of a law of nature by a particular violation of the Deity”
What does Swinburne say about miracles
‘Generality’ of a law is NOT absolute (only describes what happens in terms of regularity & predictability) they are a ONE OFF
What is Flew’s argument against miracles (4 points)
1- Miracles are, by nature, PARTICULAR & UNREPEATABLE
2-Natural events are, by nature, GENERAL & REPEATABLE
3- Evidence for general and repeatable is ALWAYS greater than particular and unrepeatable
4- Evidence will always be greater against than for miraceles
What does Kant say about miracles
- Miracles occur: Daily, Seldom, Never
- Can’t be daily (occurs regularly) or seldom (not determined by any law)
- Rational to infer miracles NEVER occur
What is Holland’s analogy
THE BOY AND TRAIN
- Mother sees train stop feet away from son, helpless, she views event as miracle
- Didnt know that, unrelated to boy being on track, driver faints onto brake
- Shows that events hold personal significance ONLY and are NOT miracles
Why does Hume say one can doubt the PRINCIPLE OF TESTIMONY
- Character of witness
- Manner of delivery
- Doubtful character
- Any contradictions
What section does Hume talk about miracles & what is the title
Section X “Of Miracles”
What does a wise man proportion his beliefs to (HUME)
Evidence
How does Hume describe a miracle (quote)
“A miracle is a violation of the laws of nature”
What does Hume say about testimony of man regarding miracles (quote)
“No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle”
What is Hume’s conclusion about miracles (quote)
“I weigh the one miracle against the other; and according to the superiority, which I discover, I pronounce my decision and ALWAYS reject the greater miracle”
Say and briefly explain or challenge the four reasons to support that NO miracle has ever occured
1- Never been attested by a sufficient number of intelligent men (HOW many men does it take?)
2- Desire to believe in miracles (Religious person believes as it may add to their faith- “Their credulity (belief without sufficient evidence) encreases his impudence (offensively bold): and his impudence overpowers their credulity”- pleasure to tell a piece of news)
3- Come from ignorant people (Need to view world in post-enlightened way)
4- No testimony that is not opposed by infinite number of witnesses (ALL religions can NOT be true)
Who says we need to weigh up the probability when assessing miracles
Hume
What is Hume’s quote about sparks
“The smallest spark may here kindle into the greater flame; because the materials are always prepared for it”
Do miracles justify religion (give example of Eliz I)
NO- Part II of Section X HUME
- if Eliz I died and rose again in three days, one would assume she had NOT died in the first place
