Evaluation of Symbols

Symbols are good because they help to show how symbols or symbolic language can be used to convey a deeper meaning.

However, they are not without their fault.

Randall's idea that symbols are instinctively known is just not correct. For many, they just have no meaning because they have not been brought up to have such an emotional response.

Symbols represent the faith or the belief If it is meaningless then so the faith is.

The meaning of symbols change over time and can even die.

Symbols are non-cognitive and therefore open to interpretation. Different people can interpret them differently.

the idea that symbols participate in reality is very vague. This was pointed out by hick. For example, the statement 'God is love'. Which is the symbol? God being love, or the concept of love?

Symbols give an insight into reality but how do you know that each person seeing the symbols is also seeing the same reality.