could i get a nice starter and ending for an essay ( high school)on science and miracles?

Answer 1

You might consider using the thoughts of philosopher David Hume (Scottish philosopher (1711-1776)) as a guiding theme, since his views are shared by most scientists. Here is a quote from his book "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding"

Hume says:
A miracle is a violation of the laws of nature; and as a firm and unalterable experience has established these laws, the proof against a miracle, from the very nature of the fact, is as entire as any argument from experience can possibly be imagined.

In other words, Hume would say that a great deal of scientific evidence suggests that miracles do not happen because the laws of nature are observed to be so reliable.

Hume then offers this "general maxim worthy of our attention"…

…'That no testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind, that its falsehood would be more miraculous, than the fact, which it endeavours to establish....' When anyone tells me, that he saw a dead man restored to life, I immediately consider with myself, whether it be more probable, that this person should either deceive or be deceived, or that the fact, which he relates, should really have happened. I weigh the one miracle against the other; and according to the superiority, which I discover, I pronounce my decision, and always reject the greater miracle. If the falsehood of his testimony would be more miraculous, than the event which he relates; then, and not till then, can he pretend to command my belief or opinion.

In other words, you would compare the possibility that a miracle has actually happened with the possibility that people are lying or have somehow been deceived. Which seems more likely? Hume is basically saying that in almost all cases when someone claims a miracle (an event that violates the laws of nature), it is more likely that someone is lying or confused or whatever, than it is that an actual miracle has occurred.

This is basically that approach that science takes. And, by the way, I can pretty much guarantee that you will impress the hell out of your teacher if you refer to Hume's argument.

Answer 2

Here's the answer I used to say to "why miracles do not exist" for my philosophy essay:

First to affirm what exactly what a miracle is, the definition is “an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause”. A reason for doubting that this type of event could exist would be the lack of credible evidence ever shown to prove a miracle has happened. There is simply no reason at this time to believe that any supernatural event has or could possibly occur. There have been, however, many reports of so called miracles, but it would be near if not impossible to prove them. Always to take in to account is the credibility of the witness or witnesses, and not to forget that all humans can make mistakes. David Hume’s effective argument “We should never believe an account of a miracle unless it would be a greater miracle that the person reporting the miracle were mistaken” shows why virtually any humans’ account of a miracle can be doubted or dismissed. Miracles could be compared with other many sightings of UFO’s or Sasquatch (Bigfoot). Many of which have been confirmed as either hoax, or a natural event with an explanation. If miracles happened regularly or even occasionally, science would not be very efficient or productive. Science is based on logic and repeated, predictable observations, leaving no room for miracles. Assuming there was a God, perhaps he “hides” his miracles from proof, leaving only for the witnesses to decide. This would drastically complicate things, because any logical person would also question their psychological state, (which would not be fair to rule out) leaving the person unsure. If God made them believe the miracle, that could be seen as playing with free will, and he may as well make everyone believe in him since their birth. Because of repetitive observations and correct predictions from science, it is more than reasonable to assume that logic and therefore science is the correct approach to understanding our universe. Using this approach, and without any credible evidence for any miracles it is highly reasonable to doubt the existence of miracles.

Answer 3

gakkaionline.net check for experience section