Reading note

zll2204

Reading Note 1
Reader: 邹乐琳
Reading Time: 2h
Reading Task: Concepts We Live By, The Systematicity of Metaphorical Concepts,                                 Metaphorical Systematicity: Highlighting and Hiding
Summary of the Content:
Metaphor is a fundamental tool for understanding, enabling us to conceptualize one thing in terms of another. It plays a critical role in grasping complex or abstract experiences—such as emotions, morality, and spirituality—that cannot be fully comprehended directly. By structuring our perceptions and actions, metaphor shapes how we navigate the world and relate to others. Our entire conceptual system, which underpins both thought and behavior, is inherently metaphorical, defining our everyday realities through unconscious and conscious frameworks.
Because many of our most important concepts are abstract or ill-defined, metaphors allow us to grasp them by linking them to more concrete, tangible domains like spatial orientation or physical objects. This process helps us categorize experiences, prioritize what is "important," and make sense of the world. For instance, metaphors like ARGUMENT IS WAR structure how we perceive conflicts, guiding our goals and actions based on the analogy’s implications.
However, metaphors are not neutral; they simultaneously reveal and obscure aspects of reality. Choosing a metaphor like ARGUMENT AS BATTLE emphasizes competition and dominance, while ARGUMENT AS DANCE highlights collaboration and harmony. The systematicity of a metaphor illuminates certain features of a concept while hiding others, shaping our focus and behavior accordingly. This duality underscores how metaphorical frameworks influence not just language but our lived experiences.
Linguistic metaphors emerge from deeper conceptual metaphors embedded in our minds. When we say ARGUMENT IS WAR, we are expressing a conceptual structure that already informs how we think and act. Thus, metaphors are not merely rhetorical devices but foundational to human cognition, bridging abstract ideas and concrete experiences while shaping the way we interpret and engage with reality.
Evaluation:
Language Style:
The passage employs a clear, academic tone with precise terminology (e.g., “conceptual system”, “systematicity”) to convey its ideas. It balances theoretical explanations with concrete examples (e.g., battle vs. dance metaphors for arguments), making abstract concepts accessible. The writing is logically structured, moving from definitions to applications, and uses rhetorical questions ("Think about the different feelings...") to engage readers.
Theme:
The central theme is the profound influence of metaphor on human thought and reality construction. It challenges the notion of metaphor as mere decoration in language, instead positioning it as a cognitive mechanism that shapes perception, action, and social interaction. The passage also explores the paradox of metaphor: its power to illuminate and its tendency to limit understanding by prioritizing certain aspects of experience over others. This tension between revelation and concealment is a compelling thread throughout the text.
Thought:
The passage presents a well-reasoned argument, drawing on cognitive linguistics to explain how metaphor structures abstract concepts. It systematically builds its case by first defining metaphor, then demonstrating its role in conceptual systems, and finally illustrating its practical implications.
Reflection:
These chapters reshaped my understanding of metaphor as a cognitive tool rather than a rhetorical flourish. I had always seen metaphors as poetic devices, but now I recognize their role in shaping my daily decisions, from how I interpret conflicts to how I conceptualize time. For instance, if I frame a work disagreement as a battle, I might focus on “winning”, whereas a collaborative dance metaphor could encourage creative problem-solving. The idea that metaphors both reveal and hide aspects of reality is particularly striking—it reminds me of how language can subtly influence biases.
However, I wonder how one navigates the inherent limitations of metaphor. If metaphors are unavoidable, how do we avoid being trapped by their constraints? The passage suggests awareness is key: recognizing that a metaphor like ARGUMENT IS WAR is a lens, not an objective truth. This insight has made me more mindful of the metaphors I use and encounter, especially in media and politics, where framing can shape public perception. Ultimately, the text underscores the importance of critical thinking—questioning the metaphors that define our realities and seeking alternative frameworks to expand our understanding.