Metaphors are not just linguistic flourishes, but deeply embedded concepts that guide the way we think about the world.
Metaphors serve as scaffolds for understanding abstract ideas and help us make sense of reality.
Metaphors are central to embodied cognition, where the mind is grounded in physical sensory experience and uses concrete domain mappings to understand abstract concepts.
Deep dives
Metaphors as Fundamental to Thought
Metaphors are not just linguistic flourishes, but deeply embedded concepts that guide the way we think about the world. They serve as scaffolds for understanding abstract ideas and help us make sense of reality. Language is secondary to the conceptual metaphors we use, which are rooted in our physical sensory experiences.
Conceptual Metaphors Influence Thinking and Behavior
Metaphors are not isolated expressions, but entire conceptual domains mapped onto each other. For example, the metaphor of love as a journey shapes the way we think about relationships. These metaphors influence our thoughts, behavior, and even the way we make sense of information about the topic.
Embodied Cognition and the Role of Metaphor
Metaphors are central to embodied cognition, where the mind is not just a symbolic manipulator but is grounded in physical sensory experience. Metaphors help us understand concepts that are abstract by using more concrete, physical domain mappings. These physical mappings are fundamental to our thinking and play a crucial role in how we understand and talk about various topics.
Metaphors Influence Politics and Societal Views
Metaphors have a profound impact on how we perceive politics and societal issues. Different metaphors, such as the 'strict father' and 'nurturing parent' metaphors, shape our political beliefs and behavior. Understanding the influence of these metaphors can shed light on political debates and the different perspectives held by conservatives and liberals.
Metaphorical Approach to Cognition
The speaker discusses the importance of taking a metaphorical approach to cognition. He argues that if we don't embrace the idea of thinking metaphorically, we will be at a disadvantage in our understanding of concepts and in constructing artificial intelligence.
The Power of Metaphors
The speaker explores the power and limitations of metaphors in shaping our understanding of abstract concepts. He emphasizes that metaphors are deeply rooted in our brains and influence how we think about and communicate ideas. While metaphors can provide valuable insights, they can also constrain our understanding, especially as we encounter more complex domains, such as quantum mechanics and causality.
We often think of metaphors as poetic flourishes, a nice way to punctuate your ideas and make them more relatable. But what if metaphors aren’t simply tools of language but part of thought itself? David and Tamler “dive into†George Lakoff’s theory of metaphors and “explore†the implications of his view that metaphors shape and constrain the ways we conceptualize our experience of the world. Plus if we’re really living in cancel culture, we might as well do some cancelling. Say goodbye to "Singing in the Rain," Latinx, and punny academic titles among other things.
Oh and it’s our 250th episode! It’s been quite a journey. Have we come a long way or are we just spinning our wheels? And for a fun detour, check out our bonus podcast series “The Ambulators†on the great TV series Deadwood.
