On what basis did David Hume reject the existence of miracles?

On what basis did David Hume reject the existence of miracles?

• A. Miracles are too unusual to be true
• B. The permanent laws of nature contradict miracles
• C. Miracles are a product of an attempt to deceive people
• D. Miracles are based on religion, not science

Answer: (B)

David Hume's rejection of the existence of miracles is primarily grounded in the idea that miracles contradict the permanent laws of nature. Hume argued that a miracle is defined as a violation of natural law, and he believed that the uniformity of these laws is established through consistent experience. For Hume, the evidence for the laws of nature outweighs the testimony for miracles, as miracles are rare and extraordinary occurrences. Thus, he posited that one should always trust the established consistency of natural laws over anecdotal or singular accounts of miraculous events. This line of reasoning emphasizes a philosophical commitment to empiricism and skepticism, advocating for a worldview grounded in observable phenomena rather than in supernatural explanations.

David Hume's rejection of the existence of miracles is primarily grounded in the idea that miracles contradict the permanent laws of nature. Hume argued that a miracle is defined as a violation of natural law, and he believed that the uniformity of these laws is established through consistent experience. For Hume, the evidence for the laws of nature outweighs the testimony for miracles, as miracles are rare and extraordinary occurrences. Thus, he posited that one should always trust the established consistency of natural laws over anecdotal or singular accounts of miraculous events. This line of reasoning emphasizes a philosophical commitment to empiricism and skepticism, advocating for a worldview grounded in observable phenomena rather than in supernatural explanations.