Scriptures and the guidance of language : evaluating a religious authority in communicative action / Steven G. Smith.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smith, Steven G., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Language and languages--Religious aspects.

Language and languages.

Sacred books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 320 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2018.

Summary:

In this book, Steven G. Smith focuses on the guidance function in language and scripture and evaluates the assumptions and ideals of scriptural religion in global perspective. He brings to language studies a new pragmatic emphasis on the shared modeling of life-in-the-world by communicators constantly depending on each other's guidance. Using concepts of axiality and axialization derived from Jaspers' description of the 'Axial Age', he shows the essential role of scripture in the historical progress of communicative action. This volume clarifies the formative power of scriptures in religions of the 'world religion' type and brings scripture into philosophy of religion as a major cross-cultural category of study, thereby helping philosophy of religion find a needed cross-cultural footing.

Contents:

The guidance problematic

The speaking problematic

The writing problematic

The religious language problematic

What is scripture?

Evaluating the scripture premise

The scripturalist

Multiscripturalism.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 09 Oct 2018).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-108-65072-4

1-108-58044-0

1-108-69584-1