The history of thinking about miracles in the West.

Phenomena considered to be miracles have been present in human culture since its origins. There have been astronomical, meteorological, and biological occurrences, and they have attracted the attention of ordinary people, artists, and thinkers. Each of these groups has tried to explain the curious phenomena or to express amazement in its own way: by means of piety or fear, creating artistic masterpieces, or theoretical reflection. Reflections on miracles (apologetic or skeptical) by philosophers and theologians, as well as writers and scientists (eg, physicians, physicists, and sociologists), have usually occurred in religious contexts. The issue of miracles is complicated and multidimensional. The word “miracle” comes from the Latin miraculum, which is derived from mirari (to wonder). Thus, the most general characterization of a miracle is an event that causes wonder. As such, it must also be in some way unusual, extraordinary, or contrary to our expectations. Nevertheless, there have been numerous definitions of miracles, and it is difficult to present a detailed and commonly accepted one. But there are some aspects of miracles to which almost all definitions point, namely, miracles being extraordinary, related to nature (being in some sense beyond, above, contrary to nature, etc.), and triggered by factors differing from natural causes that are already known.*