Analogy and Symbol

Question 1

anthropomorphism

Answer 1

assigning human characteristics to something non-human, such as an animal or god

Question 2

via negativa

Answer 2

the view that no finite concepts/attributes can be adequately used of god, but only negative terms

Question 3

aquinas and analogy

Answer 3

• since god created the universe, there must be some link between human attributes/predicates (loving, powerful etc) and god’s (all-loving, all-powerful)
• identified two types of analogy which we can understand how human language applies meaningfully to god

Question 4

analogy of attribution (aquinas)

Answer 4

• god’s qualities are reflected in his creation
  example: human goodness is a reflection of divine goodness
• simply, god has whatever it takes to produce human goodness

Question 5

analogy of proportion (aquinas)

Answer 5

• words apply to god and humans proportionally, not identically
• a dogs loyalty to a dog is equivalent to a humans loyalty to a human -> so human goodness is a lesser version of divine goodness

Question 6

ctiticisms of analogy

Answer 6

• limit on human understanding: analogies still rely on human concepts, so we cant truely know anything about god’s essence
• analogies cant tell us anything new about god, as it is based upon things already in existence, like saying we can work out anything a car designer from a car they designed
• dependence on faith; analogical language only works if you already believe in god’s nature, its not convincing to non believers

Question 7

swinburne on analogy

Answer 7

• swinburne argues religious statements can be meant literally, even when describing god
• words like “good” can be applied to both humans and god with the same reason, though god’s goodness is infinitely greater

Question 8

strengths of analogy

Answer 8

• avoids extremes of univocal and equivocal language
• allows for meaningful talk about god, while preserving divine transcendence
• matches biblical ideas of human being made in god’s image

Question 9

critics (Hume + Kant) on analogy

Answer 9

• kant: we can never know the noumenal realm (god’s true nature) -> analogies are still human constructs
• hume: analogies only work within human experience -> we can’t meaningfully compare finite and infinite beings

Question 10

Tillich’s view on symbols

Answer 10

• open up new levels of reality: symbols help us understand aspects of the divine that normal language cannot express
• evolve & die: symbols can change and loose their power over time

Question 11

what is a symbol?

Answer 11

• symbols dont just point to something - they participate in the reality they signify
  eg) the christen cross doesn’t just represents Jesus’s sacrifice; it participates in the meaning of salvation

Question 12

strengths of symbolic language

Answer 12

• engages people’s emotions and imagination
• allows for mystical and spiritual encounters
• respects the mystery of god, acknowledging he is beyond words

Question 13

criticisms of symbolic language

Answer 13

• subjectivity: symbols can be interpreted differently by different people
• limited application: symbols may only make sense within a specific faith
• loss of power: symbols can become meaningless over time, specifically within a secular context

Question 14

analogy definition

Answer 14

the use of comparison between two dissimilar or similar things towards the end or beginning of a concept, a method used to explain belief in god