Signs vs Symbols

Signs vs symbols

“God” is the word-sign in English for a type of symbol.

The difference is, symbols communicate content not wholly contained in consciousness (following Jung). Their token carries an aura of meaning, or ‘significance’, that goes beyond anything capable of being pointed to, measured, handled as an object. A part of what they “mean” (=>communicate) is merely “suggested”; latent; inarticulately present, capable of undergoing “elaboration” by drawing out threads of association These lead back, and down (to earlier, more generic) contents of consciousness..

Participation mystique

The cognitive content is wrapped (wrapt) up in, pervaded by, a content of The Unconscious linking the communicating group. Thus “Father”, as symbol, evokes a ‘transpersonal” content, over-and-above the personal male parent. This is indicated “on the token side” by use of specially designed units of Tokenspace (the universal tablet of consciousness, where signs and symbols mix and match). Of “man”, or “humanity” (implying species-consciousness), the idea of “God” (monotheistic) as “Father” did not appear first (if at all) in the Bible, but among the Phoenecians.



"The true name of God" -- see article onine