In Metaphors We Live By, George Lakoff and Mark Johnson explore the pervasive role of metaphors in our everyday language and thought processes. They argue that metaphors are not just a literary device, but a fundamental part of our cognition, shaping our understanding of the world. The authors begin by challenging the traditional view of metaphors as mere linguistic decorations, suggesting that they are instead a reflection of our conceptual system.

Lakoff and Johnson introduce the concept of ‘metaphorical thought’, which suggests that our understanding of abstract concepts is largely based on our understanding of more concrete concepts. They illustrate this idea with the example of the metaphor ‘argument is war’, showing how it structures our understanding of disagreements and influences our behavior during conflicts.

1. Metaphors and Embodied Cognition

The authors then delve into the idea of ’embodied cognition’, which posits that our conceptual system is grounded in our physical experiences. They argue that many of our abstract concepts are metaphorically structured in terms of our bodily experiences, such as up-down, in-out, and front-back. For instance, the metaphor ‘more is up’ is reflected in expressions like ‘prices are rising’ and ‘spirits are high’.

Building on this, Lakoff and Johnson propose that our understanding of time is also metaphorically structured. They introduce the concept of the ‘time is money’ metaphor, which is reflected in expressions like ‘spend time’ and ‘waste time’. They argue that these metaphors are not just linguistic quirks, but are deeply ingrained in our conceptual system, shaping our perception and understanding of time.

2. Metaphors and Cultural Variation

Next, the authors explore the idea that metaphors are not universal, but can vary across different cultures. They argue that cultural differences in metaphorical expressions reflect deeper differences in conceptual systems. For example, while English speakers often use the metaphor ‘argument is war’, speakers of other languages might use different metaphors to express the same concept.

Lakoff and Johnson also discuss the role of metaphors in shaping cultural values and ideologies. They argue that metaphors can be used to reinforce certain worldviews and justify particular social practices. For instance, the metaphor ‘the nation is a family’ can be used to justify hierarchical social structures and obedience to authority.

3. Metaphors and Social Change

In the final section of Metaphors We Live By, the authors discuss the potential of metaphors to influence social and political change. They argue that by challenging and changing the metaphors we use, we can challenge and change the conceptual structures that underlie them. For example, they suggest that changing the metaphor from ‘argument is war’ to ‘argument is dance’ could lead to a more cooperative and less confrontational approach to disagreements.

In conclusion, Metaphors We Live By presents a compelling argument for the pervasive influence of metaphors on our language, thought, and culture. By highlighting the embodied and cultural nature of metaphors, the authors challenge us to critically examine the metaphors we use and consider their implications for our understanding of the world.

George Lakoff and Mark Johnson are renowned cognitive scientists and authors. They have made significant contributions to the study of metaphor and its role in shaping our understanding of the world. Through their book Metaphors We Live By, they explore how metaphors are not just linguistic devices, but fundamental to our conceptual systems. Their work has had a profound impact on fields such as linguistics, psychology, and philosophy, and continues to be influential in understanding the relationship between language and thought.