This paper deals with metaphorical representations of the human brain (i.e. brain metaphors) in popular scientific texts.
A corpus consisting of forty (newspaper) articles is analysed by applying Fauconnier and Turner's Conceptual Integration Networks (1998, 2002).
The work is embedded in the field of Cognitive Linguistics and tries to offer some insights in how we conceptualise the human brain in popular science, revealing the nature of meaning creation as well as sketching the reciprocal interdependence of the human brain and machines as the predominant popular scientific paradigm of conceptualising human nature.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Popular scientific texts and Metaphors
2.1 The role of Metaphors
2.2 A short diachronic overview of brain Metaphors
3. Linguistic Framework
3.1 Cognitive Linguistics
3.2 Conceptual Metaphor Theory
3.3 Primary Metaphor Theory
3.4 Blending Theory
3.4.2 What makes a blend metaphoric
3.4.3 Wrap-up: Comparison between CMT and BT
3.5 Metaphor Identification Procedure
4. The Corpus
5. Linguistic analyses of popular scientific Texts
5.1 Category Personification
5.2 Category Machines
5.3 Category Space
5.4 Category Mystery
5.5 Category Nature
5.6 Category Business
5.7 Category Chaos
6. Conclusion
7. References
8. Index
Objectives and Research Scope
This thesis investigates the usage of metaphors in popular scientific texts concerning the human brain. The research aim is to illuminate the mental processes of meaning construal triggered by metaphoric language, specifically examining how cognitive processes facilitate the understanding of complex brain-related concepts through the framework of Blending Theory.
- Analysis of metaphor types in popular scientific discourse.
- Evaluation of cognitive linguistic frameworks (CMT, PMT, Blending Theory).
- Compilation and linguistic investigation of a self-collected corpus of articles.
- Taxonomy of brain metaphors categorized into Personification, Machines, Space, Mystery, Nature, Business, and Chaos.
- Application of the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP) to identify metaphorical expressions.
Book Excerpt
2.1 The role of Metaphors
First of all, before providing an overview of philosophical approaches towards the role of metaphor, we need to define what a metaphor is. A more detailed and linguistic definition of metaphor will be provided in the next chapter. For now, a sufficient definition can be found in the Oxford Dictionary of English, which defines a metaphor as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable” (OED 2014). Thus, we approach a comprehensive and linguistic definition of metaphor by starting from a semasiological perspective for now.
The Polish microbiologist Ludwik Fleck contributed to the understanding of the role of metaphors by addressing the question of how scientific facts emerge in his Genesis and Development of a Scientific Fact (1979). According to Fleck, “scientific knowledge is a function of what certain people believe at a certain time in history” (van Tongeren, 1997)2. Thus, the human conceptual system is based on social and cultural components.
In his complex book The Archaeology of Knowledge (1969) Michel Foucault explains his methodological approach by making use of the term archaeology in the sense that specific systems of knowledge, e.g. a priori knowledge, are bound to rules which define the boundaries of a specific discourse and these systems have to be ‘archaeologically’ uncovered. Foucault provides an extensive definition of knowledge, which according to him, is, among other things, “defined by the possibilities of use and appropriation offered by discourse” (Foucault 1969: 190). The notion of knowledge is central to the analysis of metaphors, as metaphors are vehicles for the transfer of knowledge.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research scope, the central role of metaphors in conceptualizing the human brain, and introduces the linguistic tools used for the study.
2. Popular scientific texts and Metaphors: Explores the philosophical role of metaphors and provides a diachronic overview of brain metaphors.
3. Linguistic Framework: Details the theoretical foundations, including Cognitive Linguistics, Conceptual Metaphor Theory, Primary Metaphor Theory, Blending Theory, and the Metaphor Identification Procedure.
4. The Corpus: Specifies the composition of 40 collected newspaper and magazine articles and details the methodology for their selection.
5. Linguistic analyses of popular scientific Texts: Provides an in-depth analysis of identified metaphor categories, including Personification, Machines, Space, Mystery, Nature, Business, and Chaos, using Blending Theory.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that metaphors are essential rhetorical devices for guiding knowledge transfer, and reflects on the complementary nature of CMT and Blending Theory.
Keywords
Cognitive Linguistics, Metaphor, Blending Theory, Conceptual Metaphor Theory, Human Brain, Popular Science, Meaning Construal, Personification, Machine Metaphors, Metaphor Identification Procedure, Mental Spaces, Knowledge Acquisition, Conceptual Integration, Linguistics, Pragmatics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis examines how metaphors are utilized in popular scientific texts to explain complex concepts about the human brain, analyzing the cognitive mechanisms behind these metaphorical expressions.
What are the primary themes investigated?
The study centers on how our conceptual system uses metaphors to structure abstract knowledge about the brain, categorizing them into groups like personification, machine metaphors, and space metaphors.
What is the main research question?
The research investigates how metaphors in popular scientific texts structure our understanding of the human brain and which cognitive processes are triggered by metaphoric language.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author primarily employs Cognitive Linguistics, specifically focusing on Fauconnier and Turner’s Blending Theory to analyze mental spaces and meaning construction.
What does the main part of the work cover?
The main body details a linguistic framework, defines a corpus of 40 popular scientific articles, and performs a qualitative analysis of various metaphor categories using integration networks.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Cognitive Linguistics, Blending Theory, Conceptual Metaphor Theory, Metaphor Identification Procedure, and Brain Metaphors.
Why is the "Surgeon as Butcher" example significant in the analysis?
This example highlights the limitations of traditional Conceptual Metaphor Theory, demonstrating how Blending Theory can better account for emergent structure and negative assessments that aren't present in the source domain.
How does the author define the "human scale" goal in Blending Theory?
Achieving human scale refers to reducing complex, abstract issues into familiar, observable situations and actions, making them easier for humans to grasp and comprehend.
- Quote paper
- Mihail Sotkov (Author), 2014, Speaking about the Brain. Metaphors in popular scientific texts, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/305477
