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MIRACLES :star: - Coggle Diagram
MIRACLES :star:
Definition of a miracle
Miracle - an event that appears to defy natural laws and is often seen as a sign of divine intervention or the presence of a supernatural force
Thomas Aquinas - a miracle is 'something which has a divine cause and is not explicable by the laws of nature'
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Types of miracles
Natural miracles - miracles that appear to alter the natural world in a way that transcends human ability but does not necessarily break the laws of nature (parting of the red sea)
Miracles of healing - Instances where someone is cured in an inexplicable or supernatural way, often attributed to divine intervention (e.g. healing of lepers or blind individuals in the Gospels).
Creation of miracles - Events that seem to directly alter the material universe, such as Jesus turning water into wine or multiplying loaves and fishes
Spiritual miracles - Occurrences that result in a spiritual transformation or demonstrate God's power non-physically, such as the resurrection.
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David Hume’s Critique
He argues that a miracle, by definition, is a violation of natural law. Since natural laws are established by the regularity of events, it is highly improbable that any event could defy them.
Hume also argues that testimony for miracles is unreliable, as people are often motivated by bias or emotional experiences.
According to Hume, the weight of evidence against a miracle always outweighs any possible testimony in favour of it.
Key thinkers
Thomas Aquinas - Described miracles as events that surpass the natural order but still occur within God's purpose. He argues that miracles do not violate natural law, but are rather a sign of God's greater law.
Richard Swinburne - Defended the possibility of miracles. He argued that if one believes in an all-powerful God, it is reasonable to expect that such a God could intervene in the world.
Hume - As mentioned, Hume's skeptical stance on miracles is one of the most significant challenges in the philosophy of religion.