Miracles — AQA A-Level Religious Studies Revision

    The study of miracles within the Philosophy of Religion, focusing on differing definitions, the debate between realist and anti-realist perspectives, and t

    Topic Synopsis

    The study of miracles within the Philosophy of Religion, focusing on differing definitions, the debate between realist and anti-realist perspectives, and the contrasting views of David Hume and Maurice Wiles.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Miracles

    AQA
    A-Level

    The study of miracles within the Philosophy of Religion, focusing on differing definitions, the debate between realist and anti-realist perspectives, and the contrasting views of David Hume and Maurice Wiles.

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    Objectives
    3
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
    5
    Mark Points

    Topic Overview

    The topic of 'Miracles' in AQA A-Level Religious Studies delves into one of the most fascinating and contentious areas within the Philosophy of Religion: the nature, possibility, and evidential value of events perceived as divine intervention. Students will explore various philosophical definitions of a miracle, ranging from events that violate natural laws to those that are simply highly improbable or deeply significant in a religious context. This study requires a critical examination of how such events are understood, verified, and whether they can offer compelling evidence for the existence or nature of God.

    Understanding miracles is crucial because it directly addresses the tension between faith and reason, and between religious belief and scientific understanding. It forces students to grapple with fundamental questions about the reliability of testimony, the limits of human knowledge, and the very concept of natural law. By analysing key thinkers like David Hume and Richard Swinburne, students develop sophisticated evaluative skills, learning to construct balanced arguments for and against the possibility and significance of miraculous occurrences.

    This topic fits centrally within the wider Philosophy of Religion curriculum, connecting with discussions on the existence of God (e.g., through arguments from religious experience or design), the problem of evil (why God might intervene selectively), and the nature of religious language. It also touches upon epistemology, as students consider what constitutes valid evidence and how historical claims of miracles can be assessed in a modern, scientific age. Mastery of 'Miracles' equips students with critical thinking tools applicable across the entire A-Level course.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →**Definitions of Miracle:** Understanding different philosophical definitions, including Hume's "violation of a law of nature," Swinburne's "non-repeatable counter-instance to a law of nature," Holland's "contingency miracle," and Tillich's "sign-event."
    • →**Hume's Critique:** David Hume's argument against the rationality of believing in miracles, focusing on the weight of uniform human experience against individual testimony and the problem of conflicting miracle claims.
    • →**Swinburne's Defence:** Richard Swinburne's arguments for the possibility and rationality of believing in miracles, based on the principles of credulity (experience is usually reliable) and testimony (witnesses are usually reliable), and the idea that God could have reasons to suspend natural laws.
    • →**Miracles and Natural Law:** The debate over whether miracles must "break" natural laws or if they can be understood within a naturalistic framework, and the implications for scientific understanding.
    • →**Epistemological Challenges:** The difficulties in verifying miracle claims, including issues of evidence, testimony, historical distance, and the potential for fraud or misinterpretation.

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • 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

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • 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

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡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
    • 💡**Define Key Terms Precisely:** Always start by clearly defining what a 'miracle' means according to different philosophers (e.g., Hume, Swinburne, Holland). This demonstrates analytical rigour and sets a strong foundation for your arguments.
    • 💡**Engage with Philosophical Arguments, Not Just Descriptions:** Don't just list what Hume or Swinburne said; explain *why* they said it, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments, and offer counter-arguments. For example, analyse Hume's critique of testimony and Swinburne's response.
    • 💡**Use Specific Examples Thoughtfully:** Refer to specific biblical miracles (e.g., the Exodus, Jesus' healing miracles, resurrection) or contemporary examples, but ensure you use them to illustrate a philosophical point, not just as standalone stories. Discuss *how* they are interpreted and *why* they are significant.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • 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:** All miracles must be dramatic, supernatural events that clearly defy scientific explanation. **Correction:** While some definitions (like Hume's) focus on violations of natural law, other philosophers like R.F. Holland propose 'contingency miracles' where an event, though natural, is interpreted as miraculous due to its profound significance or timing for a believer.
    • **Misconception:** If a miracle is proven to have occurred, it automatically proves the existence of God. **Correction:** Even if an event is accepted as a miracle, its source and meaning are open to interpretation. Sceptics might attribute it to unknown natural causes, psychological factors, or coincidence. It might suggest a powerful agent, but not necessarily the specific God of a particular religion.
    • **Misconception:** Scientific advancements make belief in miracles impossible or irrational. **Correction:** While science explains many phenomena previously attributed to divine action, the debate over miracles often hinges on philosophical assumptions about natural law and the limits of scientific explanation. Some argue that a God capable of creating natural laws could also suspend them.

    Revision Plan

    How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

    1. 1**Week 1: Foundations and Hume:** Begin by defining 'miracle' from various perspectives (Hume, Swinburne, Holland, Tillich). Then, delve deeply into David Hume's critique of miracles, understanding his arguments concerning the uniformity of experience, the unreliability of testimony, and the problem of conflicting miracle claims.
    2. 2**Week 1: Swinburne's Defence:** Immediately follow Hume with Richard Swinburne's robust defence of miracles. Understand his principles of credulity and testimony, and how he argues for the rationality of believing in a God who might intervene. Compare and contrast his arguments directly with Hume's.
    3. 3**Week 2: Broader Perspectives and Evaluation:** Explore other definitions and critiques, such as R.F. Holland's 'contingency miracles' and Maurice Wiles' theological objections to miracles. Consider the implications of miracles for the nature of God, natural law, and scientific understanding.
    4. 4**Week 2: Synthesis and Application:** Consolidate your knowledge by creating a detailed essay plan for a typical AQA question. Practice structuring arguments, incorporating different philosophical viewpoints, and developing your own reasoned conclusions.
    5. 5**Ongoing: Link to Wider Themes:** Continuously connect the topic of miracles to other areas of the Philosophy of Religion, such as the problem of evil, religious experience, and the relationship between faith and reason. This strengthens your overall understanding and analytical skills.

    Exam Question Types

    How this topic typically appears in the exam

    • 📋**"Explain and analyse..." (A01 and A02):** These questions require you to define key terms, outline specific arguments (e.g., Hume's critique or Swinburne's defence), and then analyse their strengths, weaknesses, and implications. Ensure a clear structure, using precise philosophical language.
    • 📋**"Evaluate the view that..." (A02):** These questions demand a balanced discussion, presenting arguments for and against a given statement about miracles. You must engage critically with different perspectives, weigh the evidence, and arrive at a well-supported conclusion. Use phrases like "However, it can be argued..." or "While this is a strong point, critics might contend..."
    • 📋**"To what extent is it reasonable to believe in miracles?" (A02):** Similar to evaluation, but specifically asking for the *degree* to which something is reasonable. This requires you to consider various factors that might make belief more or less reasonable (e.g., scientific understanding, philosophical definitions, individual experience) and present a nuanced final judgment.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •**Introduction to Philosophy of Religion:** A basic understanding of the nature of religious belief, arguments for and against the existence of God (e.g., cosmological, teleological, ontological, problem of evil), and the concept of religious experience.
    • •**Epistemology (Theory of Knowledge):** Familiarity with concepts like evidence, testimony, rationality, belief, and the limits of human knowledge, as these are central to evaluating miracle claims.
    • •**The Problem of Evil:** An understanding of why God's non-intervention or selective intervention in the face of suffering is a philosophical challenge, as this often forms a backdrop to discussions about miraculous intervention.

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Evaluate
    Compare
    Analyze
    Discuss

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