Embodiment and Metaphor

I recently wrote about Criticisms of Lakoff’s Theory of Metaphor and how some of these criticisms can be addressed by integrating the work of Lakoff and Genter. Perhaps the most controversial aspect of conceptual metaphor theory (CMT) is the idea of embodied cognition, that metaphor is grounded in the sensory experiences of our bodies. I [...]

Lakoff and Gentner

In response to my previous post, Criticisms of Lakoff’s Theory of Metaphor, Cosma Shalizi suggested that I should look at some criticisms from Chris and Murphy:

Explaining the War of the Metaphors, Chris (2007)
Idioms, Metaphors, and Lakoff, Oh My!, Chris (2006)
On Metaphoric Representation, Murphy (1996)

Here are my thoughts on these criticisms.

Criticisms of Lakoff’s Theory of Metaphor

Lakoff’s theory of metaphor has been both highly praised and highly criticized. My own thinking about how the mind works has been greatly influenced by Lakoff’s books, yet I also agree with much of what his critics say. I would like to make a case here that his books are worth reading, although much of [...]

Math and Art: Differences and Similarities

Mariana Soffer has made a list of some differences between math and art. In a contrarian mood, I will go through the points in this list and discuss the similarities between math and art.

Beyond Proportional Analogy

For some time now, I’ve been experimenting with algorithms for solving proportional analogies. A proportional analogy has the form A:B::C:D, meaning “A is to B as C is to D“. For example, quart:volume::mile:distance means “quart is to volume as mile is to distance”. Multiple-choice proportional analogy problems were part of the SAT college entrance test [...]

Readings in Analogy-Making

Here are some links to interesting books, papers, people, and websites related to analogy-making and metaphor. If I’m missing a link that you would recommend, please leave a comment. Look here for a list of quotations about analogy-making and metaphor. There is no particular order to these lists.

Analogy and Logic

Aristotle’s theory of syllogism (in Prior Analytics) is often cited as the origin of modern logic. He also had a theory of analogy (in Poetics), which he put to practical use in reasoning about ethics (in Nichomachean Ethics). It seems that he believed logic and analogy were both valid forms of reasoning. The majority view [...]