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David Hume, in Section X titled “Of Miracles” from his 1748 work An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, presents a skeptical view on the credibility of miracles. He defines a miracle as “a transgression of a law of nature by a particular volition of the Deity, or by the interposition of some invisible agent.” David Hume+7Wikipedia+7mytutor.co.uk+7
Hume’s Core Argument
Hume argues that our belief in any event should be proportional to the evidence supporting it. Since the laws of nature are established by “a firm and unalterable experience,” any claim of a miracle—which by definition violates these laws—faces overwhelming contrary evidence. Therefore, he posits that no testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle unless the falsehood of that testimony would be more miraculous than the event it seeks to establish. A Philosopher’s View+2Wikipedia+2Philosophies of Life+2The New Yorker+1Wikipedia+1
Reasons for Skepticism
Hume provides several reasons to doubt miracle reports:
- Human Fallibility: People are prone to error, deception, and the influence of strong emotions, especially when faced with the extraordinary.
- Religious Zeal: Witnesses may be biased, either consciously or unconsciously, due to their religious beliefs.Wikipedia
- Cultural Context: Miracle stories often originate from “ignorant and barbarous nations,” where critical scrutiny is lacking.Wikipedia
- Contradictory Claims: Different religions report conflicting miracles, which cannot all be true, thus undermining their credibility. Wikipedia+1Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy+1
Conclusion
Hume concludes that it’s always more rational to disbelieve a miracle report than to accept it, given the weight of consistent natural laws and the unreliability of human testimony in such matters. His argument has significantly influenced discussions on the intersection of religion and empirical evidence.Wikipedia
Sources
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