Miracles meet scientific evidence
The objective of this text is to try to understand the widespread belief in the existence of miracles in a world otherwise dominated by science and technology. This paper is divided into five parts. Firstly, we present various surveys which encompass the question of the belief in miracles, while also defining the phenomenon per say. In consideration of the fact that the prayer is at the very heart of the miraculous process, the analysis of its efficiency is discussed in the second part of the text. Subsequently, we examine the functioning of the seemingly inexplicable events by referring to the miracles which would have occurred in the town of Lourdes. In the fourth part, we ponder on the possibility of reconciling science and religion. Finally, the last part of this text is constituted of three subsections: four methodological criticisms regarding the efficiency of prayer, an overview of the apparent failure to assess the notions of randomness and probability when attempting to understand the origin of miracles, and lastly, we present six hypotheses in an effort to offer an alternative to the explicatory models provided by the Church.