Religious language as non-cognitive and symbolic Flashcards
Function of symbols : John Randall
Randall argues that symbols are more than mere pictures or signs; they evoke unique responses in those who encounter them. For instance, the crucifix symbolizes sorrow and repentance in Christianity. He believes that without religious language, human life would be limited and less meaningful, akin to the insights provided by music, art, and poetry. He prioritizes a coherence theory of truth, which emphasizes consistency among propositions over correspondence to objective reality. Thus, religious statements need not align with empirical truths but must be meaningful within their religious context.
4 functions of symbols
Motivation
social
communication
clarification and disclosure
Motivation?
the symbols stir people into action and create feelings of those who share the experience, which gives power to the symbol to motivate and inspire people.
Social?
symbols stimulate people to cooperate and bind their communities together.
The ideas used in worship provide a shared identity, creating a common vision of shared values; this can become the core of religious identity.
Communication?
symbols communicate aspects of an experience that are otherwise inexpressible.
They summon feelings and can transfer power to the symbol itself.
They are not cognitive or scientific in providing factual knowledge about the world but are instead non-cognitive and emotional
Clarification and disclosure?
Symbols reveal human insight of the divine in the same way that music or art can reveal understanding of how place in the world.
Symbols are not verifiable, but they can clarify or make our understanding more accurate.
It is through symbols that humans can interact with and approach the divine.
Ultimate concern: paul tillich?
Like Randall, Tillich distinguished between signs and symbols, agreeing that while logical positivism rightly establishes criteria for meaning, it treats all words as mere signs. Symbols possess meaning and power that transcend scientific criticism. Humans seek more than physical needs; they crave emotional and spiritual fulfillment. The divine or holy is often viewed as humanity’s ultimate concern, representing a metaphysical concept that can only be expressed non-cognitively and symbolically.
Image of God contains 2 elements?
The literal: :being non-symbolic as the ultimate ground of being
(source of all existence)
The symbolic: being the qualities or actions ascribed to God which cannot be applied literally as they are simply perfected human qualities.
6 characteristics of symbols?
They point beyond themselves to something else
They participate in that to which they point
They open up levels of humanity that are otherwise hidden.
They unlock dimensions of our soul that correspond to these levels of reality.
They cannot be manufactured.
Symbols can die
Challenges?
Tillich uses religious language to clarify the concept of symbols, but this circular approach may not help those skeptical of religious language. For instance, he discusses unlocking dimensions of the soul, a term that is both metaphysical and religious, lacking clear meaning. There is no method to verify the correctness of Tillich’s claims or the adequacy of the symbols used. Paul Edwards critiques this by stating that symbols do not convey literal knowledge, meaning no claims about God can be definitively true. Additionally, symbols can change over time, suggesting that their meanings may offer little fundamental insight.
Counterpoints?
Symbols showcase the diverse uses of language beyond mere description, allowing for persuasion, expression, and information. They help contextualize religious propositions, offering insights for both believers and nonbelievers. While there is no reliable method for translating symbols, symbol theory provides criteria for understanding religious language. Human experiences often transcend scientific expression, drawing us to music, art, and spirituality. Religious language serves as a means to navigate this spiritual dimension. The evolution and potential decline of symbols reflect a necessary adaptability to an ever-changing society, rather than a negative aspect.
Quotes from Randall?
The cultural functions of religion and science are so different that it is difficult to see how they can seriously compete.
Both functions are clearly indispensable.
Quote from tillich?
‘Man’s ultimate concern must be expressed symbolically because symbolic language alone is able to express the ultimate.’* GOD
