PHIL 2504 Lecture 10: PHIL2504 - Metaphor and metaphorical meaning
31 Mar 2018
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Document Summary
Most broadly, we are comparing two things, typically by bringing out some likeness. Two central questions for a theory of metaphor: We will focus on the simile theories, and davidson"s causal account and objections. Metaphorical expressions vary enormously, from extremely simple and straightforward, to complex and obscure. Beardsley claims that all such expressions share two features: Conceptual tension (e. g. , in comparing rocks and humans) Despite (or because of) that tension, the expression is intelligible, and perhaps particularly informative, poignant, or illuminating. Similes express or invite comparison between seemingly unalike things. E. g. , her hair is like a sleepy golden storm. Metaphors do just the same thing; they are simply abbreviated similes. E. g. , juliet is the sun is short for juliet is like the sun, in a literal sense. This approach accommodates the aforementioned features of metaphorical expressions, but it faces serious objections. Fails to supply account of how metaphorical significance is conveyed.
