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David Hume's Of Miracles is a philosophical text focused on evaluating the credibility of miracle claims. It’s often assigned in high school and college philosophy or literature courses to teach logical reasoning and textual analysis. This guide breaks down its core ideas and gives you actionable study tools for class, quizzes, and essays.
Of Miracles argues that we should never accept a miracle claim as true. Hume bases this on the principle that evidence for natural laws is consistently overwhelming, while evidence for miracles is always limited or unreliable. The text also critiques how testimony of miracles is shared and validated. Write this core argument in the top margin of your class notes today.
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Hume's Of Miracles is a philosophical essay that examines the rational basis for believing in miracles. It defines a miracle as a violation of established natural laws. The text’s central claim is that no amount of testimony can ever be strong enough to prove a miracle occurred, because natural laws are supported by universal, repeated evidence.
Next step: Jot down the definition of a miracle as Hume frames it, then list one example of a natural law that would conflict with a common miracle claim.
Action: Map the essay’s argument structure
Output: A 3-bullet outline of Hume’s opening premise, supporting evidence, and concluding claim.
Action: Test Hume’s logic against a real-world miracle claim
Output: A 1-page reflection explaining how the claim would be evaluated using Hume’s principles.
Action: Practice defending and criticizing Hume’s position
Output: Two short paragraphs: one supporting Hume’s argument, one challenging it with a counterpoint.
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Action: Break down Hume’s core argument into 3 distinct parts
Output: A 3-point list that shows how Hume moves from defining miracles to rejecting their credibility.
Action: Compare Hume’s evidence standards to your own personal standards for belief
Output: A 2-column chart highlighting similarities and differences between your views and Hume’s.
Action: Practice articulating Hume’s position aloud
Output: A recorded 60-second explanation of Hume’s core claim, free of jargon or overly complex language.
Teacher looks for: Clear, accurate restatement of Hume’s definition of miracles and his evidence principle, without misinterpretation.
How to meet it: Cross-reference your summary with 2 reputable study resources to ensure you haven’t misrepresented Hume’s claims.
Teacher looks for: Ability to defend or challenge Hume’s argument using logical evidence, not just personal opinion.
How to meet it: Find one peer-reviewed source or philosophical counterargument to support your position, then cite its core claim in your work.
Teacher looks for: Ability to apply Hume’s evidence standards to a new, unassigned claim or scenario.
How to meet it: Pick a modern extraordinary claim (not related to traditional miracles) and evaluate it using Hume’s 2 core principles.
Hume’s essay opens by establishing a standard for evaluating all claims: the more extraordinary the claim, the stronger the evidence required to support it. He then defines a miracle as a violation of a natural law, which is supported by universal, repeated observation. List the two core pillars of this argument in your study notebook before your next class.
Hume devotes a large portion of the text to examining testimony as evidence for miracles. He argues that testimony is often unreliable because it can be influenced by bias, emotion, or a desire to persuade. The text also notes that miracle claims are rarely supported by multiple, unbiased witnesses. Write one example of biased testimony that could apply to a miracle claim, then link it to Hume’s critique.
Beyond miracles, Hume’s principles apply to any extraordinary claim, from conspiracy theories to scientific breakthroughs. The text encourages readers to apply consistent, evidence-based standards to all types of information. Use this framework to evaluate one claim you’ve seen online in the past week.
Many readers mistakenly believe Hume is arguing against religious faith itself. This is not the case; he only challenges the rational basis for believing in miracle claims based on testimony. Highlight this distinction in your essay draft to avoid a common grading mistake.
To contribute meaningfully to class discussions, come prepared with one specific counterargument to Hume’s position. For example, you could ask how Hume would evaluate a miracle claim supported by widespread, documented scientific evidence. Write this counterargument on an index card to reference during discussion.
When writing an essay on Of Miracles, start with a clear thesis that takes a specific position on Hume’s argument, not just a restatement of his claims. Use concrete examples to support your points, such as applying his principles to a modern extraordinary claim. Draft your thesis statement first, then build your essay around it.
No, Hume’s essay does not attack religious faith overall. It only challenges the idea that miracle claims can be proven through testimony or weak evidence. Many religious thinkers have engaged with Hume’s argument without abandoning their faith.
Hume defines a miracle as a violation of an established natural law. For example, a claim that a dead person returned to life would violate the natural law of mortality.
Hume argues that natural laws are supported by universal, repeated empirical evidence (everyone observes the same natural outcomes consistently). Miracle claims are supported only by testimony, which is often limited, biased, or uncorroborated.
Yes, Hume’s principles for evaluating evidence are widely applicable to any essay about critical thinking, media literacy, or the evaluation of extraordinary claims. Just make sure you cite the text properly if you use direct ideas or paraphrases.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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