The Taming of Chance: Towards the Semantic Perspectives of Miracles
Wojciech P. Grygiel
University of Opole (Poland)Abstrakt
This paper explores the understanding of miracles in light of contemporary scientific progress, which integrates chance into the rational framework of probability theory. The study highlights the shift from an ontological interpretation of miracles, defined as unique, supernatural interventions by the Divine that transcend natural laws, to a semantic perspective, in which miracles are events imbued with special meaning by their observers without requiring supernatural causation. Through a critical examination of the philosophical and theological traditions of Sts. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, the paper demonstrates how the Thomistic ontological framework, rooted in an Aristotelian understanding of chance, encounters significant conceptual difficulties within the probabilistic paradigm of modern science. In contrast, the semantic interpretation of miracles aligns more coherently with scientific advancements, including insights from the Law of Large Numbers and Shannon's theory of entropy, thereby offering a revised perspective on the nature of miracles. This work highlights the potential for a productive dialogue between theology and science, demonstrating how theological concepts can evolve in response to scientific knowledge while preserving their relevance and coherence in contemporary discourse.
Słowa kluczowe:
miracle, ontology, chance, probability, necessityBibliografia
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