Literalist

A literalist is someone who interprets texts, statements, or symbols according to their most direct, literal meaning, prioritizing plain sense over metaphor, irony, or symbolic readings. The label is used across different domains and does not denote a single, uniform doctrine.

The term derives from the Latin littera meaning “letter” and has been used since the early modern period to distinguish strict adherence to the letter from more figurative readings. In common usage, a literalist emphasizes what is explicitly stated rather than what is implied or suggested by context.

In religious contexts, biblical literalism or scriptural literalism holds that sacred texts convey truths that are historically and factually accurate in their plain sense. Adherents often treat myths, parables, and symbolic passages as having direct, literal meaning in essential matters. This approach is associated with certain strands of Christian fundamentalism and with comparable attitudes in other religious traditions, though practices and interpretations vary widely.

In jurisprudence, the related approach is textualism or legal literalism: judges interpret statutes and constitutional provisions based on the ordinary meaning of the text, with limited reliance on legislative history or inferred purpose. Proponents argue that this constrains judicial discretion and respects democratic processes; critics contend that language can be ambiguous, context matters, and strict literalism can lead to surprising or undesirable outcomes.

Linguistically, literal meaning refers to the conventional sense of words, as opposed to figurative language, irony, or exaggeration. A person labeled a literalist may insist on a stated sense, which can sometimes hinder nuanced understanding or humor.

See also: literalism, Biblical literalism, textualism, fundamentalism, hermeneutics.