我们赖以生存的隐喻第一章读后感

忆芺77

Review of Chapter 1 of Metaphors We Live By

After delving into the first chapter of Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, I was struck by the profound role that metaphors play in our lives. This chapter, titled "Concepts We Live By," challenges the traditional view of metaphor as merely a rhetorical device, revealing it to be an essential cognitive tool that shapes our thoughts, actions, and understanding of the world.

The authors introduce the idea that metaphor is "understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another." They use the example of "argument is war" to illustrate how this metaphorical concept influences the way we engage in arguments. When we think of an argument as a war, we tend to adopt a competitive mindset, with the goal of "winning" by defeating our opponent. We use language such as "attack," "defend," and "defeat," which reflects this war - like perspective. This not only affects how we communicate during an argument but also how we perceive the other person involved.

One of the most eye - opening insights from this chapter is that our entire concept system is metaphorically structured. Metaphors are not just present in our language but are deeply ingrained in our thought processes. We use metaphors to make sense of abstract concepts, such as time, love, and emotions. For instance, we often talk about time as if it were a valuable resource, saying things like "spend time," "save time," or "waste time." This "time is a resource" metaphor shapes our attitudes towards time management and how we prioritize our activities.

The chapter also makes me realize how unconscious we are of the metaphors we use daily. These metaphors are so deeply embedded in our language and thought that we rarely stop to consider their influence. They form a coherent system that allows us to navigate the world, but at the same time, they can limit our perspective. For example, the "argument is war" metaphor might prevent us from seeking more collaborative and harmonious ways of resolving disputes.

Overall, the first chapter of Metaphors We Live By has broadened my understanding of the power of metaphor. It has made me more aware of how our language and thought are intertwined and how the metaphors we use can both help us understand the world and potentially limit our understanding. I am eager to explore the rest of the book to further uncover the complex and fascinating role of metaphors in our cognitive and social lives.