A Level: Philosophy - Miracles

Which two philosophers are mentioned for comparison in the study of miracles?

• Hume and Wiles

• Plato and Aristotle

• Descartes and Kant

• Socrates and Nietzsche

According to Anthony Flew, what is necessary for Christianity to maintain its idea of the incarnation?

• A belief in miracles without evidence

• A factual approach based on historical evidence

• Ignoring historical events

• A purely spiritual understanding

What does realism suggest about the nature of the world?

• The world is an illusion

• Scientific theories give us true descriptions of the world

• The world is entirely unpredictable

• Reality is subjective and varies for each person

How does a realist view interpret miracles?

• As fictional stories

• As real events brought about by God

• As coincidences

• As purely symbolic acts

What does Hume suggest about belief in miracles?

• Belief should be based on personal feelings

• Belief should be proportionate to evidence

• Belief should be absolute and unquestioning

• Belief should be based on tradition

What is a miracle? How might the word be used?

• A miracle is an extraordinary event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency.

• A miracle is a common occurrence that happens every day and is easily explained by science.

• A miracle is a type of magic trick performed by illusionists.

• A miracle is a fictional event that only occurs in stories and myths.

When a realist informs us that a miracle has taken place, what are they telling us?

• That something has happened in the external world.

• That nothing unusual has occurred.

• That the event is purely coincidental.

• That the event is a scientific anomaly.

What is one way a realist might describe a miracle?

• As an extraordinary coincidence of a beneficial nature.

• As a common everyday occurrence.

• As a purely fictional story.

• As a scientific experiment.

What is a potential problem with labelling an event as a miracle?

• It may ignore natural explanations.

• It confirms scientific theories.

• It is universally accepted without question.

• It is always beneficial to everyone.

According to the Catholic tradition, what is the purpose of miracles?

• To satisfy people's curiosity for magic

• To abolish all evils

• To invite belief in God and strengthen faith

• To provide scientific explanations