56%
Confidence
Belief overview
Skepticism about miracles
Miraculous accounts are seen as unlikely, poorly documented, or explicable by natural causes.
2
Supportive
0
Contrary
0
Neutral
What it is: Atheism usually adopts a skeptical stance regarding miracles and suspensions of natural laws.
How the position understands it: In the face of extraordinary accounts, the demand for strong evidence is high, and natural explanations or human error are generally considered more plausible.
Argumentative basis and context: This theme is classic in modern philosophy since Hume and also in contemporary scientific debates.
Debates and variations: Some atheists reject miracles by definition; others merely deny that there is sufficient evidence in concrete cases.
Documentary evidence
Supportive
A. J. Ayer and verificationism
A logical criticism of metaphysical and theological statements.
Reference: A. J. Ayer, Language, Truth and Logic.
Content: The author argues that many metaphysical and theological statements lack meaningful empirical verifiability.
Use in debate: It is an important reference for the analytic criticism of religious language.
David Hume on miracles
A classic essay of modern skepticism about miraculous reports.
Reference: David Hume, the essay Of Miracles.
Content: Hume argues that testimony about miracles rarely outweighs the probability of mistake, error, or fraud.
Use in debate: It is one of the most influential sources for skepticism about miracles.