In defence of Mumford’s definition of a miracle
نویسنده
چکیده
In a recent paper in Religious Studies, Clarke criticizes Mumford’s definition of a miracle as it fails to recognize a supernatural agent capable of intent. Clarke believes that in order for an event to qualify as a miracle a supernatural agent must intend it. It is my aim to dismiss this qualification and demonstrate how Mumford’s intent-neutral definition is less problematic. I will do this by examining each of the three cases against Mumford’s definition and give reason to reject Clarke’s criticism and his own definition of a miracle.
منابع مشابه
Are Miracles Violations of the Laws of Nature?
Classical theism holds that God rules the world not only indirectly, by the natural laws established with creation, but through actions or direct interventions that interfere with natural processes and human actions. These direct interventions are usually called miracles. Modern Western philosophy, at least starting from Spinoza and Hume, has defined miracles as “violations of the laws of natur...
متن کاملAquinas’s Miracles and the Luciferous Defence: The Problem of the Evil/Miracle Ratio
Miracles and the problem of evil are two prominent areas of research within philosophy of religion. On occasion these areas converge, with God’s goodness being brought into question by the claim that either there is a lack of miracles, or there are immoral miracles. In this paper I shall highlight a second manner in which miracles and the problem of evil relate. Namely, I shall give reason as t...
متن کاملTheoretical principles for prophetic morality to be known the second prophetic miracle
«The state of being extraordinarily moral is the second prophetic miracle.» This is a new point of view which has been presented by a contemporary man of Islamic studies. From this point of view, Prophetic morals has been known a kind of miracle, with which is currently dealt in theological works. The position of this miracle has been regarded to be lower than the holy Qoran an higher than o...
متن کاملA Hidden Contributor to the Korean Miracle: The Korean Credit :union: Movement
Korean credit :::union:::s (CUs) are considered to be a hidden contributor to the “Korean miracle”, characterized by remarkable economic growth and relatively low income inequality. The Korean miracle not only generated wealth in an economically strapped and socially under-privileged people, but also contributed to regional community development and the democratization of Korean society. In...
متن کاملSupernatural Miracles and Religious Inclusiveness
In this paper I shall assess Clarke’s assertion that all definitions of miracles that purport to satisfy the criterion of religious inclusiveness should substitute the term ‘supernatural’ for ‘non-natural’. In addition, I shall attempt to strengthen Clarke’s conception of the supernatural by offering an analysis of what it means for something to be ‘above’ nature. Lastly, I shall offer a new ar...
متن کامل