About topic 5: Miracles

The examiner explains:

"This topic considers whether miracles occur, and  if we can properly define them. It also explores the  idea that miracles are based on interpretation rather than real evidence, and as such are always subject to doubt and cynicism.
• what do we mean by miracles? – something impossible, something contrary to the laws of  nature, something only God does;
• does God work in the world through miracles?;
• can humans perform miracles?;
• examples of miracles from scripture, tradition, history and experience;
• evidence of/for miracles;
• the power of miracles in revealing God, and the qualities of God, such as benevolence, omnipotence, immanence;
• the question of to what extent the acceptance of the existence of miracles leads to problems for the  believer;
• Hume’s argument regarding the impossibility of miracles."

Hume and Miracles

Last year we researched about the Scottish/British Philosopher, David Hume. Hume is in the centre of the unit Miracles. A radical Atheist, associated to a Philosophical idea call Empiricism, Hume is going to produce a critique against the ideas of miracles and the Church.

Extra readings are: Scottish Enlightenment and Church Reformation. Revision sessions start next Thursday. Watch those clips above, very helpful, also a nice summary of one of this books: Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding. You can read here. Thanks to Mr Barfield.