Recognizing miracles in antiquity and beyond
- 450 stránok
- 16 hodin čítania
In recent years, scholars have explored the role of the miraculous in ancient narratives, focusing on how authors perceive wondrous accounts—whether they are treated as true events or stylistic elements. These narratives often reflect an author's desire to provide rational explanations for extraordinary actions. However, two aspects remain under-examined: the cognitive mechanisms activated by the wondrous and its role in shaping authorial identity, whether of kings, gods, or narrators. This volume approaches miracles and wonders as counterintuitive phenomena that challenge human experience and knowledge, expanding the boundaries of intellectual and aesthetic understanding. Some articles examine miracles through the lens of bewilderment, suggesting that the supernatural can be perceived as a strange yet natural occurrence, while others view miracles as endpoints where human knowledge ceases and the divine begins. Central to the discussion are questions about whether the experience of miracles can become part of long-term memory, how they may transform into solid knowledge, and what mental functions are involved in this process.
