COGNITIVE APPROACH TO RELIGION: A CASE STUDY IN J. FOWLES’ ‘’THE ARISTOS’’

Abstract

The aim of this article is to study the concept of ‘’religion’’ in J. Fowles’ ‘’The Aristos’’ via conceptual metaphors. ‘’The Aristos’’ is a book of philosophical essays where the author expresses his ideas about different concepts, ponders on crucial issues of human life, such as ‘’god’’, ‘’religion’’, ‘’death’’, ‘’life’’, ‘’ money’’, ‘’wealth’’ and many others. Conceptual metaphor is an essential tool for the writer to express his views, as it allows him to highlight those features of the concept which, according to him, characterize the concept best.

In the philosophical essay   ‘’The Aristos’’ religion occupies a distinct position through which the author’s unique world perception is expressed. The study revealed that religion can be stated through the following conceptual metaphors: Religion is a Necessity; Religion is a Reaction to Historical Predicament; Religion is a Reaction to an Environment; Religious Faith is a Mystery/Riddle; Religion is the Satisfaction of the Thirst for Mystery.

Keywords: Cognitive approach, Concept, Religion, J. Fowles, Aristos