Metaphors in and for the Sociology of Religion: Towards a Theory after Nietzsche

Abstract

Metaphors are indispensable for sociological thinking about religion, but they have received much less consideration than they deserve. This article argues the importance of systematic theoretical reflection on metaphors, both in the sociological analysis of religion and in the religious discourse of society. The article provides an outline of Nietzsche's early sociological theory of metaphor, situating it as a neglected classic for sociologists of religion in the context of other work on metaphor in the discipline.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Roger O’Toole, Randle Hart, and Martina Klubal for helpful conversations about metaphors and Nedim Karakayali, Robin Griller, and Denis Wall for the heated discussions about Nietzsche's life and work (among other things) that sparked this line of thought. Elisabeth Arweck and the anonymous reviewers helped me to clarify my intentions and argument, resulting in a much improved article. Many thanks.

Notes

1. Timothy Murphy develops some of the implications of metaphor for Nietzsche's late writings on religion in his book Nietzsche, Religion, Metaphor and argues for more continuity than I am inclined to grant.

2. I initially intended to update Black's metaphor and make it gender-inclusive, but on reflection thought it was perhaps better left as it is. To say ‘human is wolf’ is not only less graceful, but also arguably a less apt metaphor.