Natural Metaphors: Metaphor Resides in Thought as Well as Words/

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In summary, natural metaphors are formed by mapping a source domain onto a target domain, and this process is not limited to language but also occurs in thought. The example of the metaphor MORE IS UP and LESS IS DOWN shows how our experience with gravity and verticality can influence our understanding of quantity. Similarly, the metaphor PURPOSES ARE DESTINATIONS is rooted in our experience of movement towards a goal. These bodily experiences serve as the basis for abstract reasoning and meaning, as seen in how we associate certain feelings and thoughts with events and objects. Our brain makes connections and builds an abstract world based on these bodily experiences and associations.
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Natural Metaphors: Metaphor Resides in Thought as Well as Words/

A natural metaphor, which is “motivated by the structure of our experience”, consists of two conceptual domains, a source domain is mapped into the target domain. “Metaphor resides in thought not just in words…We have to distinguish metaphorical thought from the language that expresses that thought.”

As an example let’s examine the metaphors MORE IS UP and LESS IS DOWN.

Gas prices are rising. The cost of crude keeps going up and stocks prices are going down. Bank stocks have fallen and sales dropped last month. The mood of the citizens couldn’t be lower.

The source domain in this case is VERTICALITY and the target domain is QUANTITY.

The questions to be answered are:

1) Why is VERTICALITY appropriate as a source?
2) Why is MORE mapped into UP rather than into DOWN?

To function as a source domain the contents of the domain must be independently understandable. VERTICALITY is independently understandable, perhaps because of gravity. When I make corn bread and measure the appropriate amount of milk I recognize the relationship of up and more instinctively; MORE equals UP and LESS equals DOWN. Details of this metaphor make sense because of our basic experience.

Let us try the metaphor PURPOSES ARE DESTINATIONS:

From childhood we develop an intention of getting from one location to another, we have the purpose of getting from A to B. In this case there exists an identity between the domain of purpose and the physical domain. There is motion from location A to location B motivated by desire.

“This pairing in our experience is not metaphorical; it is a special case of achieving a purpose where that involves movement…and is absolutely vital to our everyday functioning in the physical environment.”

The SOURCE-PATH-GOAL schema one the most important structures facilitating our daily functioning. It is pervasive in experience, thus well understood, simple, and well demarcated for these reasons. There is an experiential correlation between the source and target domain.

“The point of this: Schemas that structure our bodily experience preconceptually have a basic logic. Preconceptual structural correlations in experience motivate metaphors that map that logic into abstract domains. Thus, what has been called abstract reason has a bodily basis in our everyday physical functioning. It is this that allows us to base a theory of meaning and rationality on aspects of bodily functioning.”

Quotes from “Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things: What Categories Reveal About the Mind” by George Lakoff
 
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Yeah I totally agree.

The brain has a funny way of not rigidly categorizing the things around it.
It makes connections between similar things, and then they become new ways of using basic logic.

It's the way the brain associates certain feelings and thoughts with a particular event.
I think this is pretty much the basis of our conscious existence, because if we didn't associate and abstract things, who knows what we would be.
Black means dark, evil, or at the very least not white, which is more good and heavenly, when we seed a soft cushy bed we want to lie down in it, these abstract domains are correlated to the physical things we do, and how they physically alter our perception of them.
We have to /learn/ all these things through experience, and build up an abstract world in our heads, where things actually mean something to us.
 
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The use of natural metaphors in language and thought is a fascinating aspect of human cognition. As the quote suggests, metaphors are not just limited to words but also reside in our thoughts and shape the way we understand and conceptualize the world around us.

One interesting example of this is the MORE IS UP and LESS IS DOWN metaphor, which is based on our experience with gravity and the physical world. This metaphor is not just limited to language, as we can see in the example of measuring milk for cornbread. The relationship between more and up, and less and down, is instinctively understood and utilized in our daily activities.

Similarly, the metaphor PURPOSES ARE DESTINATIONS is based on our experience of moving from one location to another with a specific goal in mind. This metaphor is not just limited to language either, as it is a fundamental aspect of our daily functioning and decision-making process. The source-path-goal schema is a pervasive structure in our experience, and this experiential correlation between the source and target domain is what motivates the metaphor.

These examples highlight the role of our bodily experiences in shaping our understanding of abstract concepts. Our bodily functioning and everyday physical experiences provide the basis for abstract reasoning and meaning-making. This emphasizes the importance of understanding the embodied nature of human cognition and the role of natural metaphors in our thought processes.
 

1. What is a natural metaphor?

A natural metaphor is a figure of speech that uses elements from the natural world to describe something in a non-literal way. For example, saying "she has a heart of gold" uses the natural element of gold to describe someone's kind and caring nature.

2. How do natural metaphors work?

Natural metaphors work by drawing comparisons between two seemingly unrelated things. They create a vivid image in the reader's mind and can help convey complex ideas and emotions in a more digestible way.

3. Why are natural metaphors effective?

Natural metaphors are effective because they tap into the reader's prior knowledge and associations with the natural world. This makes the message more relatable and memorable, as well as adding depth and richness to the writing.

4. Are natural metaphors only used in literature?

No, natural metaphors can be found in a variety of contexts, including everyday language, advertisements, and scientific writing. They are a common tool for expressing ideas and emotions in a succinct and engaging way.

5. Can natural metaphors be interpreted differently by different people?

Yes, natural metaphors can be interpreted differently by different people based on their personal experiences and associations with the natural world. This can add layers of meaning to the metaphor and make it more impactful for different readers.

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