Clark Peddicord

Kant (and Hume) against Miracles Clark Peddicord

Classic Jewish, Christian and Muslim thought has always affirmed the possibility of divine intervention in the world. Meanwhile, scientists, philosophers and theologians have argued about the issue of such supernatural "interference" in the law-like process of nature for centuries. In the early age of modern philosophy in the 18th century, David Hume and Immanuel Kant vehemently opposed the idea of "miracles". Thus, it is fitting to make the critique of miracles by these two important thinkers the subject of a systematic investigation, especially since Kant's assessment has had little previous attention. This study, though, does not simply investigate the historical development of the dispute up to and including Hume and Kant, but also concludes with a penetrating analysis of the modern conflict between theism and a thorough-going naturalism.