The Position of Speech act Theory in Explaining the Nature of Revelation Based on Wolterstorff `s Approach on Revelation

Borhani, Moharam; Saneipur, Mohamad Hasan; Mahdavinejad, Mohamad Hosein; Rezaee, Mahin

doi:10.22096/ek.2020.118691.1191

The Position of Speech act Theory in Explaining the Nature of Revelation Based on Wolterstorff `s Approach on Revelation

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Moharam Borhani ¹

Mohamad Hasan Saneipur ²

Mohamad Hosein Mahdavinejad ³

Mahin Rezaee ⁴

¹ PhD student, Payame Noor University, Central Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Theology, Payame Noor University, Ghamsar Branch, Central, Iran.

³ Associate Professor, Department of Theology, Payame Noor University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran.

⁴ Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Education, Payame Noor University, Lavasan Center, Tehran, Iran.

10.22096/ek.2020.118691.1191

Abstract

N. Wolterstorff in his book (Divine Discourse: Philosophical Reflections on the Claim that God Speaks. Cambridge University Press 1995), presents new approach about God`s nature of revelation as Divine Discourse. Using speech acts theory he claims that beyond of revelation, God discourses with human .He uses the word (discourse) in the literally meaning than metaphorical. His main claim about nature of revelation is that God instead of revelating operates speech act but he doesn't use words and physical apparatus. So when we say that God speaks, in the exact meaning he uses illocutionary act. Revelation as Gods illocutionary act requires accepting some presuppositions, principles and specific ontological and epistemological repercussions. This essay at first tries to clarify linguistic origin of speech act theory and its basic elements based on Austin`s speech act theory. Then tries to reflect on the use of this theory in N.W 's approach on revelation.

Keywords

Speech Acts Theory

Ilocutionary Act

Double Agency Discourse

Normative Theory of Language

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