Analogy And Symbol

Question 1

What is univocal language

Answer 1

-Language is used in an ordinary way, the same way ordinary language is used

Question 2

What is equivocal language

Answer 2

Language is used in a way different from the original meaning- language has a deeper, metaphysical meaning-

Question 3

What is via negativa

Answer 3

Suggests God is beyond comprehension, we can only know and talk about him by what he isnt-evil, limited, human, finite etc.

Question 4

Univocal language-anthropomorphism

Answer 4

-Can be seen to be limiting and humanising God- saying god loves implies Gods love is the same as human love, implying Gods love is flawed and limited- humanises and limits God-contradicts his transcendent nature

Question 5

Equivocal language-Meaning

Answer 5

Equivocal language lacks meaning as we can not gain any true knowledge of God if words are used with a deeper meaning humans cannot understand properly

Question 6

Aquinas analogy theory

Answer 6

-Religious language is analogical-Gods features reflect in his creation-attributes like goodness etc come from God so human attributes can be compared- human terms can give knowledge of god.

Question 7

Analogy of attribution

Answer 7

-Gods features are reflected in reality- we can know about God just as we can know about a baker through his bread-e.g we can attribute goodness to God because creation is good

Question 8

Analogy of proportion

Answer 8

-Predicates exist in proportion to the nature of what holds it- in the same way a dog can love but at a ‘lower’ level than humans God can love in a higher, more complex way than humans appropriate to his nature-Gods love is infintiely greater than humans

Question 9

Strengths of analogy

Answer 9

+Solves problem with univocal language and equivocal- gives us some meaningful, tangible knowledge of God whilst not humanising him as we acknowledge the attributes are greater than ours

Question 10

Limitations of analogy

Answer 10

-Problem of evil-can be used to show God is good
(counter point-evil is a privation)-suggests RL not analogic as its not based on looking at the world but doctrine-contradicts gods nature
-Doesnt work if we deny creationism

Question 11

What is a symbol

Answer 11

An object used to represent a deeper, hidden meaning different from its literal meaning-e.g black symbolises evil

Question 12

Religious language as symbolic-Paul Tillich

Answer 12

-Religious language uses symbols to convey a deeper, metaphysical meaning that cant be articulated in ordinary language

Question 13

Paul Tillich- Symbolism theory

Answer 13

-God can be known either through experience of the ultimate being which is ineffable and can only be described through symbol- experiences of God are non emperical, religious language and concepts can only be discussed through symbol.

Question 14

Religious language and meaning

Answer 14

-Symbolism points to and participates in a ‘higher dimension of reality’-opens the mind and soul up to higher levels of reality so we can begin to understand metaphysical truths-e.g the nature of crucifiction, good and evil, life death etc-open us up to holy layers of reality

Question 15

Paul Tillich- symbolism example

Answer 15

Jesus called the ‘lamb of God’-lamb is a symbol of innocent sacrifice showing the deeper metaphysical meaning behind Jesus death and opening us up to the higher reality of God

Question 16

Symbolism-strengths

Answer 16

+Some religious language is clearly presented as symbolic and uses symbolic language-lamb of God etc-cant see all language as symbolic
+Overcomes problems with univocal language

Question 17

Symbolism-limitations

Answer 17

-Suggests religious language isnt true-then becomes subjective and based of unverifiable interpretation-lacks meaning as we cant know if its true
-Some religious language and statements seem to be and are treated as literal, e.g all abrahmic religious (islam, christianity and judaism) all see God as literally omnibenevolent etc.