Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Hume does not deny the metaphysical possibility of miracles — Carmelics
    Home/Natural Theology
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Hume does not deny the metaphysical possibility of miracles

    Modality & PossibilityNatural Theology
    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    2 reasons against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.According to Hume, there is no absurdity or contradiction involved in suggesting that the laws of nature are violated
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The violation of a law of nature is at least conceivable
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    2 perspectives
    Reason against 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Hume's regularity theory of natural law identifies laws with exceptionless regularities, making 'violated law' a contradiction in terms.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If a purported miracle occurs, Hume's own framework entails we should revise the law rather than affirm a genuine violation.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Therefore, on Hume's own metaphysics, miracles are not merely improbable but conceptually self-undermining, precluding genuine possibility.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason against 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Hume's conceivability criterion for possibility applies to simple ideas, but 'law-violation' is a complex concept requiring further decomposition.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.John Earman argues in 'Hume's Abject Failure' that Hume conflates epistemic conceivability with genuine metaphysical possibility without justification.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.The absence of explicit denial is insufficient to establish that Hume's system affords miracles coherent metaphysical possibility.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Topics

    Natural TheologyModality & Possibility

    Connections

    1 topic

    Skepticism1 linked

    Related

    According to Hume, there is no absurdity or contradiction involved in suggesting...Hume's conceivability criterion for possibility applies to simple ideas, but 'la...Hume's regularity theory of natural law identifies laws with exceptionless regul...If a purported miracle occurs, Hume's own framework entails we should revise the...
    +4 moreShow less
    John Earman argues in 'Hume's Abject Failure' that Hume conflates epistemic conc...The absence of explicit denial is insufficient to establish that Hume's system a...The violation of a law of nature is at least conceivableTherefore, on Hume's own metaphysics, miracles are not merely improbable but con...

    Similar

    The criticism that Hume denies the very possibility of miracles misrep...83%Mathematical possibility does not entail metaphysical possibility82%The existence of God is the primary enabling condition for miracles82%Coleman's argument against belief in reported miracles has limited for...81%

    Source

    AI-extracted1/3 agreementValid
    SEP: hume-religion
    View source passageHide passage
    Hume’s views on miracles have been criticized from a variety of perspectives. Some critics have claimed that Hume, in laying down that miracles run up against uniform experience, is simply assuming at the outset that the probability of miracle occurrences is equal to zero (see Johnson 1999 and Earman 2003). In response to this is has been pointed out that Hume’s concern is not with the factual question as to whether miracles have occurred or not, but with the epistemic question of whether it can
    Extraction notes

    Validity: Extracted via Max plan + API grounding/validity checks

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    3 (1 for, 2 against)
    Edits
    1 edit