MIRACLES: Hume On Miracles Flashcards

1
Q

Who was Hume?

A

Philosopher and historian

Empiricist

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2
Q

Quote from Hume about evidence

A

‘A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence’

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3
Q

What is Humes approach to miracles?

A

‘A miracle is a violation of the laws of nature’

Thus the testimony would have to be very convincing; the more evidence we have for any event, the higher its probability

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4
Q

Quote from Hume on miracles as uncommon

A

‘Nothing is esteemed a miracle, if it ever happen in the common course of nature’

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5
Q

Humes definition of a miracle

A

A transgression of a law of nature by a particular volition of the deity, or by the interposition of some invisible agent

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6
Q

Humes main inductive argument against miracles: witness testimony

A

Witness testimony has to become more reliable in direct proportion to the improbability of what the witness claims to have observed

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7
Q

Humes main inductive argument against miracles: improbable events

A

The most improbable event would be a violation of the laws of nature
Because by definition the evidence must contradict the claim of a miracle having happened

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8
Q

Humes main inductive argument against miracles: conclusion

A

By definition the reported event is maximally improbable
The probability the witnesses are lying/wrong is greater than the probability a miracle has occurred
‘No human testimony can have such force as to prove a miracle’

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