Hume’S ‘of Miracles’: Probability and Irreligion

Abstract

Abstract David Hume wrote a philosophical essay on the subject of miracles at some time during the years 1735 to 1737 while he was living at La Fleche, where he made use of the Jesuits’ library. It was intended for inclusion in A treatise of human nature’ but the final work appeared “castrated” of this “nobler part”. A discussion entitled ‘Of miracles’, possibly but not necessarily the one written at La Fleche, appeared however in 1748 with the publication of Philosophical essays concerning human understanding-- the first Enquiry. ‘Of miracles’ provoked a debate which continues to this day; but scholars have been slow to explore a number of fundamental historical questions, which need to be studied if we are to understand both how Hume came to write this essay and—a matter of more directly philosophical interest—the significance of the argument in his own eyes.