2006-12-20 07:29:01 · 19 answers · asked by dj 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Definition of "Miracle"
The two best-known definitions of miracles are
that of St. Thomas Aquinas who believed in miracles,
and that of John Stuart Mill who did not.
1. St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas’s definition of a miracle is this:
Miraculum est praeter ordinem totius naturae creatae:
Deus igitur *** solus sit non creatura,
solus etiam virtute propriâ miracula facere potest.
A miracle is something beyond the order of created nature.
Therefore since God alone is not a created being,
He also is the only One who can work miracles by His own power.
The word "nature" can be used in three different senses:
(a) It may mean "all that exists".
Spinoza, the Jewish philosopher who was a pantheist, uses it in this sense. Nothing can be "beyond nature" if this is what we mean by nature.
(b) It may mean "all created things".
St. Thomas Aquinas uses it in this sense, for he is careful to say "created nature".
(c) It may mean "all material things", as when we say "natural science".
This is the usual modern sense.
St. Thomas says "praeter" (beyond), not "contra" (against).
The order of creation is due to the will of God.
A miracle is not contrary to the will of God,
but it is a special extraordinary exercise of the will of God.
Nothing can be outside nature if by nature we mean "all that exists".
God is outside nature if by nature we mean "all created things".
The will of God or even, within limits, the will of man
may interfere with the ordinary course of nature
if by "nature" we mean "all material things".
2. John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill,s definition of a miracle is:
A phenomenon
not preceded by any antecedent phenomenal conditions
sufficient again to reproduce it.
This definition implies that there is nothing but the material world in existence.
It takes no account of the human will, still less of the will of God.
A chemical experiment can always be reproduced,
given the conditions in which it was produced once.
But historical events in which the human will takes part are never reproduced. "History does not repeat itself."
An event like the French Revolution will not occur again in exactly the same way."
2006-12-20 07:35:28 · answer #1 · answered by johnslat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Recognizing and explaining miracles is to me the purpose of life!
A dictionary definition of a miracle has been given above; it is: "An event that can not be explained by the known laws of nature." To a wee child everything is a miracle because he or she knows few if any laws of nature.Children soon rectify this problem driven by their God given curiosity. They happily explore the world discovering "laws of nature" and uncovering more miracles, which they greet with glee. They are only bored or angry if they are frustrated in their search for truth. In time they grow older and wiser and soon learn that death is an essential part of life.
This too is a miracle because they do not understand it. They realize that this is the last great miracle they have to explain and explain they do. Religions are founded, wars are waged because of their inadequate attempts to solve this last riddle.Every one is a philosopher here because everyone has to die but by the facts of their childhood they should recognize that this is not the end but the beginning of a continuing long life after life of finding and resolving the miracles God has put before us for their own and others benefit and thus the benefit of God.
2006-12-20 09:25:14 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Mac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An event that cannot be explained by the known laws of nature and is therefore attributed to a supernatural or divine power.
According to many religions, a miracle is an intervention by God in the universe. One must keep in mind that in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and in other faiths people have substantially different definitions of the word miracle. Even within a specific religion there is often more than one usage of the term.
In a short, it is any amazing or wonderful occurrence.
2006-12-20 08:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Miracle is supernatural causes,Here is my story, I was driving going to work ,winter time sunday 6:00 in the morning, traffic is almost empty. I saw a something gray like a mist coming towards me I thought it was UFO, then it appear a big van, I have no time to ditched it, I prayed Father he is trying to kill me !!save me don't let me die! Ifelt some unseen forces surrounds me, then my Ford Aspire was side swept on the driver sides, my car was so totaled all the windows broken, I was not hurt only tiny scratched on my forehead.From hospital I still went to work ,afraid to missed a day at work. It was a hit and run, I reported to my insurance, to the police. After 2 months the persons insurance call me to settle things, the Driver was sleeping that she drive on the wrong lane. When I saw my car, I can not believe how I survived that accident. Now I am very change person.
2006-12-20 08:26:29 · answer #4 · answered by Vannili 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A miracle in the strict sense is something done in nature, which exceeds the powers of nature or natural laws, by the omnipotence of God.
An example of a miracle would be a sudden multiplication of food or the instantaneous healing of a broken bone.
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2006-12-20 09:01:15 · answer #5 · answered by Catholic Philosopher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That very fact that I still exist is a miracle. The fact that we can use a computer and write, and walk/run and speak, and remember, and work on our future. They're all miracles.
2006-12-20 07:32:56 · answer #6 · answered by samaustinashlee_billiewjr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A miracle would be gods divine intervention in the world.
2006-12-20 08:39:43 · answer #7 · answered by Jeremy H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A miracle is the temporary suspension of the natural laws that govern our earth and universe.
2006-12-20 08:07:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Miracle is a supernatural happening.
2006-12-20 08:20:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Divine Intervention.
2006-12-20 07:44:20 · answer #10 · answered by firedup 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋