Symbolic language: Paul Tillich Flashcards
How does Michael Dinkler summarise symbolism?
“Symbolism is a pattern or object which points to an invisible metaphysical reality.”
What does Tillich believe about verbal and written language?
It can’t express God in anyway because it is a finite human brain trying to describe an infinite God.
What does Tillich define God as?
The ‘ground of being’ because he is the basis of all that exists
What is a sign?
A non verbal/ non written communication that expresses information. Eg - a traffic light
What is a symbol?
A non verbal/ non written communication that expresses information but has a deeper meaning. Eg - a national flag
Is language of symbols cognitive or non cognitive?
Language of symbols are entirely non-cognitive, in that it evokes a response at the deepest emotional level.
What does Tillich say about signs?
“They do not participate in the reality of that to which they point.”
What is Tillich’s view on symbols?
Symbols are poetic and liturgical; cannot be killed by the critiques of science.
What does Tillich believe about non-religious symbols?
They are trivial compared to God, because God is the “ground of being.”
The importance of the ‘cross’ symbol
- identifies the death of Jesus
- signifies salvation, atonement and God’s love for the world.
What does Tillich believe religious symbols open up?
Open up the levels of religious reality which would be otherwise unobtainable to humanity.
How are symbols of such value to religious language, despite not being exclusive to it?
Because religious language deals with issues that are beyond the empirical and objective.
What does Tillich concede about symbols?
That they are non-cognitive. They serve another function than just expressing empirical truths, they are metaphysical.
What does Tillich argue about the non-cognitive nature if religious symbols?
They don’t attempt to make assertions that can be verified or falsified.
Tillich’s six characteristics of symbols
- symbols point beyond themselves to something else
- symbols participate in the thing they point to
- symbols open up realities language can’t open
- symbols unlock dimensions of our soul that correspond to dimensions of reality
- symbols cannot be produced intentionally
- symbols grow and die
