Religious language as non cognitive and Analogical Flashcards
Cognitive?
To express propositions that can be known to be objectively true or false.
Non cognitive
These do not express objective propositions (subjective) but rather express attitudes or interpretations.
Analogy def?
comparison made between 2 things that are not identical but do share similarities
St Thomas Aquinas: Proportion and Attribution?
Aquinas argued that language about God can be understood in three ways: unequivocal, equivocal, and analogical. Unequivocal language has a single meaning and is unsuitable for discussing God, as seen in scientific definitions like H2O. Equivocal language, which has multiple meanings, fails to convey truth about God, as exemplified by the word “sick,” which can mean both unwell and impressive. In contrast, analogical language offers a middle ground, allowing for comparisons between God and the empirical world. We can’t define God unambiguously or equivocally, but we can describe Him through attributes like goodness, which reflect qualities found in created beings. This approach enables meaningful discussions about God, even if they aren’t fully comprehensive, as God’s qualities are not identical to those in the world but serve as valid points of comparison.
Analogy of attribution?
We can compare God to earthly things because God is their cause. For example, we can describe God’s love as analogous to human love. This is supported by Genesis, which states that humans are made in God’s image and likeness.
Analogy of proportion?
When we say God has love, we understand it as similar to human love, but on a much greater scale. This comparison reflects the greatness of the being being described.
Ian Ramsey?
Ramsey, a British professor and Bishop of Durham, argued in his book Religious Language that religious language reveals insights about God. He emphasized that its odd and unusual nature is crucial for expressing moments of wonder and awe. According to Ramsey, two key elements must be present for meaningful discussions about God.
Model def?
words with which we are all familiar cand can be used to allow us to recognise features in something that is otherwise unfamiliar
for example?
The term “prime mover” refers to a familiar concept that serves as a foundation for a more complex understanding of the prime mover itself. Qualifiers are added to modify this model, shifting it from the familiar to a more precise and potentially unfamiliar concept, thereby refining and directing its meaning.
Qualifying prime in the prime mover?
The term “qualifying prime” in “prime mover” helps us understand the transition from something that moves to the concept of the first mover, enabling us to grasp complex ideas like God as the efficient cause.
By using this type of religious language?
Ramsey argues that meaningful communication about abstract and metaphysical concepts is achievable through the careful use of qualifiers, which reveal insights into previously obscure ideas. However, it is crucial to use specific models and qualifiers carefully to ensure our analogies accurately reflect the concepts we aim to express.
Challenges of relying on analogies
Analogies face challenges in determining whether the comparisons made are reasonable or correct. With analogies of proportion, there’s often no clear scale to gauge the differences, which can render comparisons meaningless if the entities are vastly different. Thus, even using analogies, we cannot assert factual statements about God, undermining the argument that meaning derives from truth—a perspective aligned with logical positivism. If we question the idea of humans being created in God’s image or the nature of creation, the effectiveness of analogies of attribution diminishes.
Another challenge
If God is causally related to the world, it raises concerns about attributing negative qualities like greed or evil to Him.
