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: P107-132, Chapter22-24
Summary of the Content:
Chapter 22: The Creation of Similarity
The chapter challenges the traditional view that metaphors merely reflect pre-existing similarities. It argues that metaphors actually create similarities by highlighting certain aspects of a concept while hiding others. For example, the metaphor “Argument is War” creates a similarity between arguing and fighting by emphasizing conflict, but ignores cooperative aspects of arguments. Metaphorical mappings establish a cross-domain similarity that did not exist prior to the metaphor’s use.
Chapter 23: Metaphor, Truth, and Action
This chapter explores how metaphors influence our understanding of truth and shape our actions. Truth is not absolute but is constructed based on our conceptual systems, which are heavily metaphorical. Metaphors can lead to different truths; for instance, the “Time is Money” metaphor affects how we value and use time. Actions are guided by metaphorical concepts; if we view education as a “journey”, we plan our learning accordingly.
Chapter 24: Truth
The authors argue that truth is relative to our conceptual frameworks, which are metaphorically structured. There is no direct, unmediated access to truth; all understanding is filtered through metaphors. Different metaphors can lead to contradictory truths, as seen in political debates where opposing metaphors define different realities. Scientific truth is also metaphorical, relying on conceptual metaphors like “The Mind is a Computer”.
Evaluation:
The authors effectively demonstrate that metaphors are not just linguistic tools but cognitive structures that shape our reality. The argument about the creation of similarity is compelling, as it explains why metaphors can feel “natural” even when they are culturally constructed. The analysis of truth as metaphor-dependent challenges traditional epistemology, prompting a reevaluation of how we define truth.
Reflection:
Recognizing that metaphors create similarity has changed how I analyze language and concepts. I now notice how political speeches use metaphors to construct specific realities. The idea that truth is metaphor-dependent has made me more critical of “absolute truths” presented in media and politics. In my academic writing, I now pay closer attention to the metaphors I use, as they influence how my arguments are perceived. This reading has also made me curious about how different metaphors in various disciplines (e.g., science vs. literature) shape their respective truths. I plan to observe how metaphors guide daily actions, such as when people use the “Life is a Race” metaphor to justify their competitive behaviors. This exploration of metaphor, similarity, truth, and action reveals the profound role of metaphor in constructing our understanding of the world. It challenges us to reflect on the metaphors we employ and the realities they create.