“Metaphors We Live By” (1980) is a seminal book by linguist George Lakoff and philosopher Mark Johnson that explores the role of metaphors in shaping our understanding of the world.
- Metaphors are not “just figures of speech”
- Conceptual metaphors underlie our understanding of abstract concepts.
- These metaphors form a coherent system.
- This system allows us to comprehend one aspect of a concept in terms of another
- e.g. TIME == MONEY: time is valuable, spend it wisely
- This act of highlighting some aspects for us, necessarily also hides other aspects from us that don’t align with the system
- e.g. TIME != MONEY: no refunds
- Metaphorical thought is pervasive
By recognizing the role of metaphors in shaping our understanding, Lakoff and Johnson suggest that we can gain a deeper appreciation for how language influences our perceptions. Metaphors are not just decorative devices but rather fundamental tools for constructing meaning and understanding.