1. Hume on miracles ~ slide 1
David Hume on miracles
The modern background: David Hume (Scottish, ) on miracles (An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748)
Biographical notes
Hume on miracles ~ slide 1

2. Hume on miracles ~ slide 2
David Hume on miracles
Hume’s famous df.: a miracle is a violation of the laws of nature brought about by the volition of a Deity.
Hume’s three arguments against the existence of miracles
Hume on miracles ~ slide 2

3. Hume on miracles ~ slide 3
David Hume on miracles
1. The nature of nature -- the uniformity of nature
2. Problems with testimony
Sufficient number of persons
The lack of “good sense, education, and learning” of those testifying to miracles
Hume on miracles ~ slide 3

4. Hume on miracles ~ slide 4
David Hume on miracles
Testimony is from those living in “ignorant and barbarous nations,” and not from those living in a “celebrated part of the world” (a consider-the-source type argument)
There is a propensity in humankind toward stories about the marvelous, unusual & strange
Are many instances of forged miracles
Hume on miracles ~ slide 4

5. Hume on miracles ~ slide 5
David Hume on miracles
General conclusion to the testimony arguments: Testimony when weighed against our experience loses.
Hume on miracles ~ slide 5

6. Hume on miracles ~ slide 6
David Hume on miracles
3. A final argument: Religious pluralism & truth
Hume on miracles ~ slide 6

7. Hume on miracles ~ slide 7
David Hume on miracles
Note Hume’s assumption about the foundational role of miracles. “We may establish it as a maxim that no human testimony can have such force as to prove a miracle, and make it a just foundation for any such system of religion.”
Hume on miracles ~ slide 7

8. Hume on miracles ~ slide 8
David Hume on miracles
Critical evaluation of Hume’s arguments
1. The foundational assumption
2. Hume’s skepticism about testimony
Persons from “ignorant & barbarous nations”
Hume on miracles ~ slide 8

9. Hume on miracles ~ slide 9
David Hume on miracles
3. Hume’s dilemma: testimony or nature a false dilemma?
4. Does his definition of miracles have anything to do with the biblical notion of miracles?
Hume on miracles ~ slide 9