Book Note on Metaphors We Live By

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Book Note on Metaphors We Live By:
Reader: 赵悦
Reading Time: 1天
Reading Task: P133-157, Chapter25-27
Summary of the Content:
Chapter 25: The Myths of Objectivism and Subjectivism
The chapter begins by outlining the contrasting myths of objectivism and subjectivism. Objectivism posits that reality is an objective, mind-independent structure, and that human understanding must align with this absolute truth. It emphasizes rationality, precision, and the belief that language can directly mirror reality. Subjectivism, on the other hand, argues that meaning and truth are purely subjective, rooted in individual experience, feelings, and imagination, with no universal objective basis. The authors contend that both myths are overly simplistic and flawed. They argue that objectivism ignores the role of human cognition and experience in shaping understanding, while subjectivism dismisses the importance of shared reality and intersubjective communication. The chapter suggests that these myths have dominated philosophical thought and highlights the need for a more balanced approach that acknowledges the role of metaphor in bridging the gap between objective reality and subjective experience.
Chapter 26: The Myth of Objectivism in Western Philosophy and Linguistics
This chapter delves deeper into the prevalence of the objectivist myth in Western philosophy and linguistics. It traces the roots of objectivism back to ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, who viewed truth as an absolute, independent of human perception. The authors discuss how this tradition has influenced modern philosophy, such as in the works of Descartes and Kant, who emphasized rationalism and the search for certain knowledge. In linguistics, the objectivist myth is reflected in theories that treat language as a neutral tool for representing reality, such as structuralism and formal semantics. The chapter critiques these approaches for ignoring the metaphorical nature of language and thought. It argues that language is not a direct reflection of reality but is shaped by human conceptual systems, which are inherently metaphorical. Thus, the objectivist myth in linguistics fails to account for the creative and dynamic role of metaphor in constructing meaning.
Chapter 27: How Metaphor Reveals the Limitations of the Myth of Objectivism
In this chapter, the authors demonstrate how metaphor exposes the limitations of the objectivist myth. They argue that metaphor is not just a rhetorical device but a fundamental way of thinking and understanding the world. Metaphors structure our conceptual systems, influencing how we perceive and reason about reality. The objectivist myth assumes that concepts are literal and can be defined in absolute terms, but metaphor shows that concepts are often understood in terms of other domains of experience. For example, the metaphor “ARGUMENT IS A WAR” shapes how we think and talk about arguments, emphasizing conflict and victory, which are not inherent to the nature of argumentation. The chapter shows that such metaphors are essential for making sense of abstract concepts but also limit our understanding by imposing a particular framework. By highlighting the pervasiveness of metaphor, the authors challenge the objectivist belief in absolute, unmediated truth and argue for a more pluralistic and context-sensitive understanding of knowledge and meaning.
Evaluation:
The authors present a compelling critique of the objectivist and subjectivist myths, effectively demonstrating the limitations of these binary approaches. Their analysis of the role of metaphor in shaping thought is particularly insightful, providing a persuasive argument against the objectivist assumption of literal, objective meaning. The historical overview in Chapter 26 helps contextualize the objectivist tradition in Western philosophy and linguistics, making the critique more grounded and comprehensive. One strength of the argument is the use of numerous real-world examples, such as the “ARGUMENT IS A WAR” metaphor, to illustrate how metaphors structure our conceptual systems. This makes the abstract ideas more tangible and relatable. The authors also successfully show that the objectivist myth fails to account for the creative and interpretive aspects of language and thought, which are crucial for human understanding.
Reflection:
Reading these chapters has profoundly influenced my understanding of language, thought, and philosophy. I now appreciate how deeply metaphor is ingrained in our conceptual systems, shaping even our most basic understandings of the world. The example of the “ARGUMENT IS A WAR” metaphor made me realize how often I use competitive language when discussing ideas, and how this metaphor influences my approach to debates, sometimes leading to unnecessary conflict. This insight has also made me more critical of the objective-subjective dichotomy in philosophy. I used to think of truth as something either entirely objective or purely subjective, but the authors’ argument that meaning is constructed through embodied experience and shared metaphors provides a more nuanced perspective. It has made me more aware of the role of context and human cognition in shaping knowledge, challenging my previous assumptions about absolute truth. In my own academic work, this has encouraged me to pay closer attention to the metaphors I use in my writing and thinking. I now try to identify how these metaphors structure my arguments and whether they might be limiting my perspective. For example, when writing about complex social issues, I need to be aware of metaphors like “SOCIETY IS A MACHINE” and consider how they might influence my analysis, potentially overlooking the organic and dynamic nature of social systems.
More broadly, this reading has deepened my appreciation for the complexity of human communication and understanding. It has shown me that language is not a neutral tool but a dynamic system shaped by our embodied experiences and shared cultural metaphors. This understanding fosters a greater sense of humility when engaging in discussions and debates, as I recognize that my perspective is inevitably influenced by the metaphors that structure my thinking. It also encourages a more open-minded approach, as I become more aware of the multiple ways in which reality can be conceptualized through different metaphors.
Overall, these chapters have provided me with a powerful framework for analyzing thought and language, and have challenged me to rethink long-held assumptions about truth, meaning, and objectivity. The recognition of the pervasive role of metaphor in our lives has not only enhanced my intellectual understanding but also has practical implications for how I communicate and engage with the world around me.