TESTIMONY

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Price's maxim: "Believe what you are told unless you have grounds for doubt."

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Criteria for the reliability of a testifier:

a. character

b. self-consistency

c. personal investment, objectivity

d. nature of the claims

i. consistent with other things known or justifiably believed

ii. appropriately known by the testifier

e. authority (credentials)

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David Hume’s argument against miracles:

1. A miracle, by definition, is a violation of natural law.

2. Common experience (on the part of many, communicated by testimony) is the basis for the formulation of natural law.

(Therefore:)

3. Testimony of a miracle--on the part of one or a few--stands in opposition to testimony of common experience made by many.

4. Testimony of common experience is weightier than testimony of a miracle.

(Therefore:)

5. It is more rational to refuse to believe testimony of a miracle.

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Hume's list of grounds for doubting testimony of miracles (beyond his a priori argument):

1. possible self-delusion

2. people enjoy the passion of "surprise and wonder"

3. testimony of the miraculous occurs principally among the uneducated

4. lack of self-consistency.