Book Note on Metaphors We Live By

悦悦悦

Book Note on Metaphors We Live By:
Reader: 赵悦
Reading Time: 1天
Reading Task: P48-65, Chapter13-15
Summary of the Content:
Chapter 13: The Grounding of Structural Metaphors
This chapter explores how structural metaphors, which give systematic structure to our concepts, are grounded in our physical and cultural experiences. The authors argue that metaphors like “ARGUMENT IS WAR” or “TIME IS MONEY” are not arbitrary but rooted in our daily interactions. For instance, the concept of time as a resource is grounded in the experience of allocating time to tasks, which mirrors allocating money. Structural metaphors derive their coherence from the way they align with our embodied experiences, allowing us to understand abstract concepts through concrete ones. The grounding process involves both physical interactions (like spatial movements) and cultural practices (like work routines), which together form the basis for mapping abstract domains onto concrete ones.
Chapter 14: Causation: Partly Emergent and Partly Metaphorical
Here, the focus is on the concept of causation, which the authors claim has both emergent and metaphorical aspects. Emergent causation refers to physical interactions we directly experience, such as pushing an object and seeing it move. Metaphorical causation, however, extends these physical experiences to abstract domains. For example, the metaphor “FRUSTRATION CAUSES AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR” maps the physical act of exerting force onto the psychological realm. The chapter highlights that our understanding of causation is a blend of direct physical experiences and metaphorical projections, with different metaphors (e.g., “CAUSATION IS PHYSICAL FORCE”, “CAUSATION IS A PATH”) shaping how we conceptualize causal relationships in various contexts. It emphasizes that causation is not an objective reality but a concept constructed through metaphorical mappings.
Chapter 15: The Coherent Structuring of Experience
This chapter discusses how metaphors work together to create a coherent structure for our experiences. Different metaphors for a single concept (e.g., time as a resource, time as a moving object) are not isolated but part of a systematic network. The authors demonstrate that these metaphors overlap and reinforce each other, forming a unified conceptual system. For instance, the metaphor “TIME IS A MOVING OBJECT” and “TIME IS A RESOURCE” both contribute to our understanding of time by structuring it through space and value. This coherent structuring allows us to make sense of complex experiences by relating them to familiar, concrete domains. The chapter also notes that inconsistencies between metaphors are resolved through their shared grounding in experience, ensuring our conceptual systems remain logically consistent in practical use.
Evaluation:
The authors’ analysis of structural metaphors’ grounding in embodied experience is compelling. By linking abstract concepts to physical and cultural practices, they illuminate why certain metaphors are universal (e.g., spatial metaphors for emotions) and others culture-specific (e.g., “TIME IS MONEY” in capitalist societies). The distinction between emergent and metaphorical causation enriches our understanding of how we attribute causality, showing that it is both a direct perception and a metaphorical construct. This challenges the traditional view of causation as a purely objective relation, highlighting its conceptual nature.
Reflection:
Engaging with these chapters has transformed how I perceive everyday language. I now notice how frequently metaphors structure my thoughts, such as when I say “I’m running out of time” (TIME AS A RESOURCE) or “Her argument attacked my points” (ARGUMENT IS WAR). Recognizing the grounding of these metaphors in my physical experiences (e.g., watching a clock, engaging in debates) has made me appreciate language’s systematicity.
This reading also prompted me to reflect on how metaphors influence professional discourse. In business, phrases like “investing in relationships” or “growing a market share” rely on economic metaphors to structure interpersonal and strategic concepts. Understanding this helps me decode industry jargon and recognize how metaphors shape organizational culture and decision-making.
Moreover, the discussion on causation made me question how I attribute responsibility in daily life. When I say “Stress caused my mistake”, I realize I’m using a metaphorical projection of physical force onto psychological states. This awareness encourages me to critically examine causal claims, distinguishing between direct physical causes and metaphorical attributions, which has practical implications for problem-solving and conflict resolution.
In essence, these chapters reveal metaphor not just as a linguistic tool but as a fundamental mode of thought, grounding our understanding of the world in embodied experience while enabling us to conceptualize the abstract. This insight deepens my appreciation for language’s complexity and its role in shaping how we perceive and interact with reality.