Religious Language

Michael Scott addresses a range of central questions about the meaning of religious language and discourse. - Should we treat religious discourse at face value or are there fundamental differences between religious discourse and other areas of descriptive discourse? - Is 'God' a name and how does it refer? - Are religious utterances metaphorical? - Do religious utterances express feelings, intentions or stances as well as or instead of beliefs? The book draws on current research in the philosophy of language as well as work in theology and Continental Philosophy to develop a novel theory of religious language. New work and original insights are also presented on the historical development of research in the field. This is first original, wide-ranging account of the meaning of religious language in over two decades. This Book Draws On Current Research In The Philosophy Of Language As Well As Work In Theology And Continental Philosophy To Develop A Novel Theory Of Religoius Language. New Work And Original Insights Are Also Presented On The Historical Development Of Research In The Field. This Is The First Original, Wide-ranging Account Of Religious Langage In Over Two Decades. -- Cover. Preface -- Part I. Religious Language -- Introduction -- Apophatics -- Berkeley -- Braithwaite And Verificationism -- Religious Internalism -- Against Expressivism -- Reference -- Part Ii. Religious Truth -- Introduction -- Reductionism -- Minimalism -- Truth In Religion -- Part Iii. Religious Discourse -- Introduction -- Metaphor And Analogy -- Fictionalism -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index. Michael Scott, University Of Manchester, Uk. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 2 Half-Title 3 Title 5 Copyright 6 Dedication 7 Contents 9 Preface 10 Part I Religious Language 17 1 Introduction 19 2 Apophatics 29 3 Berkeley 42 4 Braithwaite and Verificationism 56 5 Religious Internalism 70 6 Against Expressivism 87 7 Reference 102 Part II Religious Truth 121 8 Introduction 123 9 Reductionism 132 10 Minimalism 142 11 Truth in Religion 156 Part III Religious Discourse 167 12 Introduction 169 13 Metaphor and Analogy 176 14 Fictionalism 199 Notes 217 Bibliography 222 Index 231 An original and accessible discussion of the nature of religious language that draws on the latest research in the philosophy of language. The historical background to research on religious language is also explored and connections are made with both Continental Philosophy and Theology.