1.8 - Religious Language: Negative, Analogical or Symbolic

Question 1

Pseudo-Dionysius’ view on via negativa

Answer 1

-via negativa only way to talk about god, beyond human understanding
-counter-productive to speak of god as though we can reach him through the senses or reason
-people should allow god to speak to them and accept he is a mystery

Question 2

Aquinas’ view on via negativa

Answer 2

-there is a way of making positive claims about god
-need to remember we are using an analogy when speaking about god
-if people speak about god listening to them this is an analogy

Question 3

Univocal language

Answer 3

-use words for two different things in a way that is univocal
-the same words are used in the same way, eg a bath mat and a doormat

Question 4

Equivocal language

Answer 4

-use words for two different things in a way that is equivocal
-same word is used in completely different ways such as a fruit bat and a cricket bat
-word has entirely different meaning in different contexts

Question 5

Aquinas on types of language

Answer 5

-rejected univocal language coz it makes god too small and doesn’t sufficiently convey his greatness and mystery
-rejected equivocal language coz it isnt helpful at all in communicating about god