Religious Language - Analogy Flashcards
Equivocal language about God
This means that the same word is used with 2 completely separate meanings. eg post- to send or after. Term’s like good mean something totally different when applied to God. This led to the via negativa approach where you can only say what God is not. “God is loving but not in the same way as a human.” This means religious scriptures are about meaning rather than describing reality. The problem with this is religious believers want to make positive claims about God.
Univocal language about God
Words used about God have the same meaning as when used with other things. This means the bible can be literally true. The problem with this is that it suggests that God is part of the universe, which limits God. Surely the word “good” can’t mean the same when applied to God and nando’s.
What is analogy?
Can be seen as a middle way between univocal and equivocal language. It is when you compare two different things that have a similarity to be able to explain a concept in a non literal way.
Analogical use of language
Where the same word can be used about two different objects or ideas and the meaning of the word is similar but with some differences.
Examples of analogy
Buddhism- 2 candles for the concept of rebirth, the idea that one causes another was similar and helped us to understand.
Aquinas and analogy
Aquinas assumes it’s possible to talk meaningfully about God and puts two theories of analogy to help is do so. He believes that words used for God and humans are used in an analogical way as there is a resemblance between the meanings of the word.
Analogy of attribution (Aquinas)
The idea that God and creatures can be described literally using the same words because of a causal relation between them. Causes and effects are intimately connected.
Example of analogy of attribution (causal link between us)
The good baker bakes good bread and the bread is created by the baker. Good bread is crusty and tasty, but we shouldn’t describe the baker in the same way.
Davies on analogy of attribution
“you cannot give what you have not got, and though what you give may not look like you, it will still reflect what you are”
Therefore, we can attribute to God what applies to ourselves because of the causal link.
Analogy of proportion (in proportion)
Aquinas believed that everything had an ideal nature, being good was fulfilling that nature. This means the same words can be applied to different things but their meaning is in the proportion to the nature of that thing. A good dog (loyal) is different to a good human (need to fulfill primary precepts WORLD). Therefore, the words apply proportionately to different beings but always fully to God.
Models and qualifiers
Ramsey- A model is an analogy used to help people express something about God, eg. in the statement “God is good” good is the model, as we have a human understanding of what this word means.
A qualifier is to show the word means more than just the human meaning “God is infinitely good” this reminds us to think God’s goodness is in a greater depth. We should respond in awe and wonder.
Problems of analogy
Things have to be compared to genuine similarities, God is very different from humans, this means we can’t use analogy to talk about God in a meaningful way. From earth looking at God is looking through a dark window, when we die we will see each other face to face. (St Paul)
