Significant versus symbolic universes : sorting out the terminology

It is argued that scholars of religion and anthropology should prevent falling victim to what is termed "the fallacy of assumed cosmology" by rather using different terms to describe phenomena within a magico-mythical cosmology (significant universe) as opposed to terms in a modern scienti...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
1. VerfasserIn: Van Dyk, P. J. 1956- (Verfasst von)
Medienart: Elektronisch Aufsatz
Sprache:Englisch
Verfügbarkeit prüfen: HBZ Gateway
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Veröffentlicht: 2011
In: Journal for semitics
Jahr: 2011, Band: 20, Heft: 2, Seiten: 422-444
Online-Zugang: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallele Ausgabe:Nicht-Elektronisch
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:It is argued that scholars of religion and anthropology should prevent falling victim to what is termed "the fallacy of assumed cosmology" by rather using different terms to describe phenomena within a magico-mythical cosmology (significant universe) as opposed to terms in a modern scientific cosmology (symbolic universe). The author therefore suggests that the terms signs, idols, images, icons, rituals, spells / enchantments, curses, blessings, customs, taboos and the concept of sacredness are restricted to a magico-mythical cosmology. In contrast terms such as symbol, statue, picture, ceremony, formula, habit, convention and respect should be reserved for the modern scientific cosmology and be avoided when describing phenomena from magico-mythical contexts such as the Old Testament, ancient texts and pre-scientific cultures.
Enthält:Enthalten in: Journal for semitics
Persistent identifiers:HDL: 10520/EJC101189