Apophatic for Dummies
pronunciation: ,æpə'fætɪkWhat does Apophatic really mean?
Sure, I can definitely explain what "Apophatic" means to you! So, imagine you have a big box of crayons, right? And each crayon has a different color. Now, let's say you want to use words to describe something, like a bird. Usually, when we describe things, we use positive words to say what the thing is like. For example, we might say a bird is colorful, fast, or beautiful.
But here's where it gets interesting. Apophatic is a fancy word that means the opposite of describing something by saying what it is. Instead, it's all about describing what it isn't. It's like if I give you a red crayon from the box and say, "This crayon is NOT blue, it's NOT yellow, and it's NOT green." So instead of telling you what it is, I'm telling you what it's not.
When we use apophatic language, we are trying to describe something by saying all the things it is not. It's like trying to paint a picture of something by pointing out all the things it doesn't have or all the things it isn't. It's a way to communicate an idea or describe something by using negation or the opposite.
Now, there can be different reasons why we might use apophatic language. One reason is when we are trying to talk about something that is so big, so complex, or so hard to grasp that no words can truly capture its full meaning. It's like trying to explain what the entire universe is like or what love feels like.
Another reason is when we want to emphasize the mysterious or unknowable aspect of something. It's like trying to describe a dream you had last night. Even though you remember bits and pieces of it, there are still many parts that are fuzzy and unclear, right?
So, to sum it up, "apophatic" means describing something by saying what it is not or using negation. It's like describing a bird by listing all the things it is not, or talking about something that is so big and complex that we can't fully describe it with words. It's a way to show that there are limits to our understanding and that some things are just too vast or too mysterious to put into words.
Revised and Fact checked by Brian Anderson on 2023-10-28 03:01:28
Apophatic In a sentece
Learn how to use Apophatic inside a sentece
- When we describe something apophatically, we say what it is not. For instance, if I say a cat is not a dog, I am using the apophatic approach.
- You can use apophatic language when you want to talk about what something is not. If I want to describe an apple by saying it is not a banana, I am using the apophatic method.
- Let's say we are talking about a tree, and I use apophatic language by saying that it is not a car or a building. This helps us understand what a tree is by stating what it is not.
- If someone asks you to describe an elephant using apophatic language, you might say it is not small, it is not a bird, and it is not pink. These statements help us understand what an elephant is not.
- Imagine we are discussing a rainy day, and I describe it using apophatic terms. I would say it is not sunny, it is not dry, and it is not hot. These descriptions let us understand what a rainy day is not.
Apophatic Pertains To
Words to which the original word is relevant