Cognitive vs. Non-Cognitive Language
Cognitive religious language makes truth-claims about reality (propositional content). Non-cognitive language expresses emotions, attitudes, or commitments without truth-value.
Real World
When Archbishop Desmond Tutu declared 'God stands with the oppressed,' he may have intended a cognitive truth-claim about divine justice; a philosopher like Ayer would reinterpret it non-cognitively as an expression of Tutu's own moral commitment.
Exam Focus
Always identify which side of the debate each thinker falls on; misclassifying Ayer (non-cognitive) or Swinburne (cognitive) is a common mark-losing error.
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