Hume’s argument here is wonderfully economical. A less subtle philosopher might have tried to show a metaphysical conclusion, such as the absolute impossibility of miracles. Hume neither needs such a conclusion, nor tries to argue for it. He allows the metaphysical possibility of an intervening deity. There might be a deity who might on occasion let someone walk on water, or feed five thousand people on a few loaves and fishes. Still, experience is our only guide as to whether such events occur. If we are to believe that they do because of testimony, then the testimony has to be good: very
...more

