Single Idea 7775

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 6. Interpreting Language / d. Metaphor]

Full Idea

Understanding a metaphor is as much a creative endeavour as making a metaphor, and as little guided by rules.

Gist of Idea

Understanding a metaphor is a creative act, with no rules

Source

Donald Davidson (What Metaphors Mean [1978], p.29)

Book Reference

'On Metaphor', ed/tr. Sacks,Sheldon [Chicago 1981], p.29


A Reaction

This is good news for literature studies courses. Davidson's point is that the metaphor itself only gives you a literal meaning, so it doesn't tell you how to interpret it. It seems an attractive proposal.