Metaphor, religious language and religious experience

Harrison, V.S. (2007) Metaphor, religious language and religious experience. Sophia: International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, 46(2), pp. 127-145.

Abstract

Is it possible to talk about God without either misrepresentation or failing to assert anything of significance? The article begins by reviewing how, in attempting to answer this question, traditional theories of religious language have failed to sidestep both potential pitfalls adequately. After arguing that recently developed theories of metaphor seem better able to shed light on the nature of religious language, it considers the claim that huge areas of our language and, consequently, of our experience are shaped by metaphors. Finally, it considers some of the more significant implications of this claim for our understanding of both religious language and religious experience.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Metaphor - Religious language - God - Religious experience
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Harrison, Dr Victoria
• Authors: Harrison, V.S.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Sophia: International Journal for Philosophy of Religion
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0038-1527
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2007 Springer
• First Published: First published in Sophia: International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 46(2):127-145
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher