Miracles — AQA A-Level Religious Studies

Miracles in AQA A-Level Religious Studies explores the philosophical and theological debate over whether miracles are violations of natural laws, focusing on Hume's critique and responses from Swinburne and Tillard. Students must evaluate definitions, evidence, and the implications for religious belief, using key scholars and examples.

The topic of miracles is a central area of debate in the philosophy of religion, particularly within the AQA A-Level Religious Studies specification. It examines the question of whether miracles are possible, how they should be defined, and what they might reveal about the nature of God. The debate is not just about whether events like the resurrection or the parting of the Red Sea actually happened, but about what counts as a miracle in the first place. This topic connects to broader discussions about the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the reliability of religious experience.

The philosophical debate is largely shaped by David Hume's famous essay 'Of Miracles', in which he argues that it is always irrational to believe in miracles based on testimony. His argument is based on the idea that miracles are violations of the laws of nature, and since these laws are established by uniform experience, the evidence against a miracle is always stronger than any testimony for it. However, philosophers like Richard Swinburne have challenged Hume's view, arguing that if God exists, then miracles are not only possible but probable in certain circumstances. Swinburne also points out that Hume's argument is circular, as it assumes that natural laws are exceptionless, which is precisely what is in question.

In addition to the philosophical arguments, the topic also considers theological perspectives, such as those of Thomas Aquinas and Maurice Wiles. Aquinas defined miracles as events that are beyond the natural order, but he distinguished between different types of miracles. Wiles, on the other hand, argued that God does not intervene in the world in a way that violates natural laws, but instead works through them. This debate is important because it affects how believers understand God's relationship with the world and whether they can expect miraculous interventions in their own lives. For students, mastering this topic requires a clear understanding of the key definitions, the arguments for and against, and the ability to evaluate them critically.

• →Definition of miracle: a violation of natural law, often attributed to God (Hume's definition).
• →Hume's argument: evidence for miracles is always weaker than evidence for natural law, so it is always rational to reject them.
• →Swinburne's response: if God exists, miracles are possible; Hume's argument is circular.
• →The distinction between a miracle and a coincidence or religious experience.
• →Theological perspectives: Aquinas's types of miracles, Wiles's idea of God working through natural laws.

• Understanding of realist vs anti-realist views of miracles
• Distinction between miracles as violations of natural law vs natural events
• Analysis of David Hume's arguments against miracles
• Analysis of Maurice Wiles' arguments regarding miracles
• Evaluation of the significance of these views for religious faith

• 💡Ensure you can clearly define 'realist' and 'anti-realist' in the context of miracles
• 💡Focus on the specific philosophical arguments of Hume and Wiles rather than general theological opinions
• 💡Structure AO2 responses to directly address the significance of these views for religious belief
• 💡Tip 1: Always define 'miracle' in your answer, using the philosophical definition, and then apply it to the question. This shows the examiner you know the key terms.
• 💡Tip 2: When evaluating, use a balanced approach: present the argument, then a counter-argument, and then a critical analysis. Avoid one-sided answers.
• 💡Tip 3: Use specific examples, such as the resurrection or Lourdes, to illustrate your points. This adds depth and shows you can apply theory to real-life cases.

• Confusing realist and anti-realist definitions
• Failing to distinguish between the specific arguments of Hume and Wiles
• Neglecting the significance of these views for religious faith in evaluation
• Misconception: A miracle is any amazing event. Correction: In philosophy, a miracle must be a violation of natural law, not just an unlikely event.
• Misconception: Hume said miracles are impossible. Correction: Hume said they are always less probable than natural explanations, so it is irrational to believe in them, but he did not say they are logically impossible.
• Misconception: If a miracle happens, it proves God exists. Correction: Miracles can be explained by other means, and even if they are genuine, they do not necessarily prove God's existence; they only suggest a supernatural cause.

1. 1Week 1: Learn the key definitions and Hume's argument. Create flashcards for key terms and scholars.
2. 2Week 2: Study Swinburne's response and other scholars like Tillard and Wiles. Compare their views.
3. 3Week 3: Practice exam questions, focusing on 6-mark and 12-mark questions. Use mark schemes to self-assess.
4. 4Week 4: Review common misconceptions and examiner tips. Do a timed essay under exam conditions.

• 📋6-mark 'Analyse' questions: These ask you to explain a scholar's argument. Structure: definition, key points, conclusion.
• 📋12-mark 'Evaluate' questions: These ask for a balanced judgement. Structure: introduce the view, arguments for, arguments against, critical analysis, conclusion.
• 📋4-mark 'Explain' questions: These ask for a brief explanation of a concept. Structure: definition and one example.
• 📋10-mark 'Critically compare' questions: These ask you to compare two scholars' views. Structure: similarities, differences, evaluation.