Classical theorists since Aristotle have referred to metaphor as an instance of novel poetic language in which words likemother, night,andgoare not used in their normal everyday meaning. Metaphor was considered as a matter of language, not a matter of thought. It was assumed that in everyday language, there was no metaphor, and that metaphor used mechanisms which were not used in conventional language. This theory was taken as a definition. The wordmetaphorwas defined as a linguistic expression in which one or more words for a concept are used outside of the conventional meaning to express a similar concept. From a linguistic point of view, one has to ask what these generalizations governing the linguistic expression are. Trying to answer this question, the classical theory turns out to be false: the generalizations are not in language, but in thought; they can be seen as general mappings across conceptual domains. These conceptual mappings do not only apply to poetic expressions but also in everyday language. As a result, metaphor is a central aspect of ordinary language semantics. Everyday metaphor consists of a large number of cross-domain mappings which are used in novel metaphor. So when studying literary metaphor, it is an extension of the study of everyday metaphor. This paper will also show that the idea of metaphor is not limited to linguistics, but also concerns many areas of life and how we understand the world.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Few sketches of traditional definitions of metaphor
2.1 Aristotle
2.2 Augustinus
2.3 Empirism
2.4 Neo-Positivism
2.5 Ivor Armstrong Richards
2.6 Max Black
2.7 Nelson Goodman
2.8 George Lakoff
3 Lakoff’s Criticism of Traditional Views on Metaphor
3.1 The six fundamental positions
3.1.1 Semantic Autonomy
3.1.2 Metaphors are not unique
3.1.3 “Dead” Metaphor
3.1.4 Mapping
3.1.5 “The Linguistic-expression-only-Position”
3.1.6 Every Aspect of Language is Metaphorical
3.1.7 Conclusion
4 The Embodied Mind
4.1 The Embodied Mind in Mathematics
4.1.1 Numbers – just a metaphor
5 Metaphors in Politics
6 Conclusion
7 Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the evolution of metaphor theory, critiquing traditional linguistic interpretations in favor of George Lakoff’s conceptual metaphor approach. It explores how metaphors are deeply rooted in human cognition, bodily experience, and the structures of our thoughts, rather than being merely decorative stylistic devices.
- Historical evolution of metaphor definitions from Aristotle to the 20th century.
- Lakoff’s critique of traditional views, specifically the cognitive basis of metaphorical thought.
- The role of the "Embodied Mind" in shaping abstract concepts and mathematics.
- Application of conceptual metaphor theory to political discourse and moral value systems.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.4 Mapping
The fourth mistake Lakoff and Turner state is that some theories on metaphor suppose a source and a target domain, but they do not realize that one should focus on the action which takes place between the two. This action is called “mapping” by the two authors. They define the source domain as the conceptual domain from which we draw metaphorical expressions, the target domain on the opposite, is the conceptual domain that we try to understand.
Mapping exists between these to domains, being a systematic set of correspondences between the two. There are even elements of target concepts which come from source domains and do not even exist before. To be able to understand a conceptual metaphor, one has to have a good grasp of the set of mappings which applies to a given source-target pairing. A main difference between these two approaches towards the source and target ideas is that for Lakoff and Turner metaphors are a matter of thought and not only of language. That is the reason why they named this metaphor a conceptual metaphor.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: Provides a brief overview of how metaphor has shifted from a poetic device to a central aspect of human cognition.
2 Few sketches of traditional definitions of metaphor: Outlines the historical development of metaphor theory through various philosophers and schools of thought.
3 Lakoff’s Criticism of Traditional Views on Metaphor: Details Lakoff’s refutation of six erroneous assumptions regarding metaphors, such as the idea of literal meaning or semantic autonomy.
4 The Embodied Mind: Explores how neural processes and sensorimotor experiences create the foundation for our conceptual structures.
4.1 The Embodied Mind in Mathematics: Argues that mathematics is a human construct derived from cognitive structures rather than a universal transcendent reality.
4.1.1 Numbers – just a metaphor: Suggests that numerical concepts are metaphors grounded in our perception of countable entities.
5 Metaphors in Politics: Investigates how different conceptual metaphors, such as those related to family, shape the conflicting worldviews of political parties.
6 Conclusion: Summarizes the interdisciplinary importance of metaphor theory and its impact on philosophy, linguistics, and mathematics.
Keywords
Conceptual Metaphor, George Lakoff, Embodied Mind, Cognitive Linguistics, Mapping, Source Domain, Target Domain, Mathematics, Politics, Moral Politics, Sensorimotor System, Conventional Metaphor, Human Cognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic work?
This work focuses on the shift in the understanding of metaphor from a linguistic or stylistic tool to a fundamental cognitive process that shapes our experience of the world.
What are the primary thematic fields covered in this document?
The document covers the history of metaphor, the philosophy of cognition (The Embodied Mind), the nature of mathematical thought, and political rhetoric.
What is the central research question regarding metaphors?
The central question is whether metaphors are merely linguistic expressions or if they reside in the cognitive structures of the mind, fundamentally dictating how we think and categorize reality.
Which scientific method is primarily used to analyze these concepts?
The paper utilizes a philosophical and theoretical analysis, drawing upon cognitive linguistics and neuroscience to critique traditional philosophical definitions of metaphor.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the historical definitions of metaphor, critiques of traditional views by George Lakoff, the influence of the "Embodied Mind" on abstract thinking, and the role of metaphor in political party ideologies.
How would you describe the key terminology characterizing this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as "conceptual metaphor," "mapping," "embodied mind," and "cognitive structure."
How do Conservatives and Liberals differ in their use of metaphors according to the text?
According to Lakoff, Conservatives and Liberals employ different metaphors for the "family" unit—patriarchal versus "nurturant"—which results in divergent moral and political priorities.
What is the significance of the "Embodied Mind" theory for mathematics?
The theory suggests that mathematics is not a universal truth discovered by humans, but a construct formed by our neural apparatus, meaning mathematical concepts are essentially metaphorical projections of our physical experience.
- Citar trabajo
- Andrea-Anja Gschaider (Autor), 2002, The Conceptual Metaphor, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/57426
