Religious language: introduction

Question 1

Why is the way is which concepts are discussed significant in religious and philosophical discussion?

Answer 1

It is vital to understanding the content that is being discussed

Question 2

How will language how it is used in the context of religious discussion differ?

Answer 2

Depending upon what the topic of discussion is and also who is discussing it

Question 3

What recurrent theme appears in religious texts like the Bible and Qur’an?

Answer 3

Allusions to the nature of God as being beyond the scope of human dialect - our words, according to these scriptures, can not do him justice

Question 4

Why is it impossible even for atheists to describe God?

Answer 4

The varying interpretations of who/what he is or could be have such rich variety within global opinion and belief that is an almost impossible feat the quantify all these things into words

Question 5

What did Wittgenstein say about the confusion of philosophical language?

Answer 5

‘Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our senses’

Question 6

How this issue beyond the other issues that have been discussed in terms of arguements for/against the existence of God?

Answer 6

Because it is about the way in which we discuss these issues - the words we use and the way in which we use them

Question 7

What two types of statements do we encounter?

Answer 7

Cogtnitive and non-cognitive

Question 8

Explain cognitive statements

Answer 8

They are statements that are truth evaluable, as in they have truth conditions, and can be assessed as meaningfully true or false

Question 9

Give an example of a cognitive statement

Answer 9

If someone makes a statement such as ‘God is all-powerful’, you should enquire about the truth of this statement, as it could be incorrect, in the same way that ‘2+2=3’ could be incorrect. Therefore, it makes sense to enquire about the truth of this statement

Question 10

Explain non-cognitive statements

Answer 10

These statements are non-truth evaluable, and as such do not have meaningful truth conditions. They may, for example, be statements of approval or sentiment, which are not direct beliefs

Question 11

Give an example of a non cognitive statement

Answer 11

‘Where is Devon?’ is not a cognitive statement as it does not make logical sense to enquire whether or not it is true or false. It can be neither true or untrue, as it does not posit a truth; therefore, it does not make sense to try and learn whether or not it is accurate