RELIGIOUS LANGUAGE: Language Game Theory Flashcards
Who is Wittgenstein?
Austrian British philosopher
What is Wittgenstein’s approach to treating religious claims as worldly claims?
This is inappropriate because they are not like scientific claims; their meaning isn’t defined by the steps you take to verify or falsify them
What is Wittgenstein’s approach to religious language?
The meaning of religious language is determined by use and context
What is Wittgenstein’s language game?
The idea that language has meaning in a particular context, each context governed by rules
Each game serves a different purpose
What are aspects of the religious language game?
Using evidence is not part of the game
Meaningful for those who choose to use that game
Strength of Wittgenstein’s account of religious language
Allows for a variety of meaning: artistic, poetic, ethical rather than expecting all language to conform to an empirical or scientific norm
Weakness of Wittgenstein’s account of religious language
Most believers see their assertions as about religion as true
