Metaphors: Not Just for Poetry

Like many individuals, when writing I do not always jump to use metaphors. If someone were to ask me if I felt like metaphors were a necessity in writing or arguing I would probably say no. Some may even argue that metaphors are utilized primarily in more artistic forms of writing such as poetry. However, in “Metaphors We Live By” by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, the importance of metaphor in arguments is explained and I have found that this is not the case. 

I found similarities between this text and John Locke’s “An Essay on Human Understanding.” The similarities I found had to do, in a sense, with the idea of language as a system. In Locke’s writing, one can see his structured breakdown of how language and words work as a system. Lakoff and Johnson begin with the metaphor “Argument is War.”  They say, “We can actually win or lose arguments. We see the person we are arguing with as an opponent. We attack his positions and we defend our own. We gain and lose ground. We plan and use strategies.” Here, one can see the importance of metaphors according to the authors. Not only are such metaphors useful, but they are important in everyday conversation such as arguments. Statements in arguments do not just happen, but must be planned. One strategically uses their words to counter argue and prove themselves correct.

I also found that Lakoff and Johnson treat metaphor as Derrida treats “Differance.” Metaphor is not just a term that we can define and move on, but it is so much more. Metaphors presented such as “Time is Money” is not just a one dimensional saying, but rather a multi dimensional phrase that can be defined and applied in many different circumstances and have various meanings. 

The depth that can lye within metaphors can be shown in metaphors such as “Expressions are containers for meanings” (Lakoff and Johnson). Understanding how metaphors can be used effectively can propel our arguments to be even greater.Words are tools that can be formed into metaphors making language that much more powerful.

Lakoff and Johnson have continued the ongoing theme of the complexity of language that we have seen from previous theorists. Language is a complex system that we must navigate through to attempt to completely understand and utilize to deliver messages through discourse.