Tag: Exam Papers

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Ayer paragraph 1 helpful hints for answering question

a) Clarify / examine the argument and / or interpretation in the passage. [24]

First summarise in your own words what the overall message of the passage is e.g.

In paragraph one Ayer is suggesting that philosophers generally agree that the existence of a transcendent God, the god of Classical Theism, cannot be ‘demonstratively proved’ and that therefore any statements about this kind of God possess no ‘literal significance.’ [Obviously there is more that can be said even in this summary.]

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Jan 2009 Miracles Question

(b) (i) Outline the key concepts of miracles and examine the main reasons to believe in miracles.(21)

Miracles are often used as an argument in favour of God’s existence since as Swinburne suggested if God exists then we could expect him to interact with his creation. In addition there seem to be many stories of strange and unexplained events which in the light of no better explanation have been categorised as miracles. Even the definition of a miracle is as an unexplainable but beneficial act which appears to break the laws of nature and which is then attributed to God. [2]

Unfortunately the term miracle has been applied to pretty much any amazing event which has occurred from an underdog team winning to so-called miracle cures, to amazing survival stories after earthquakes etc. [1] Continue reading “Jan 2009 Miracles Question”