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Full Idea
On standard versions of the simile theory of metaphors, they mean the same as the corresponding simile.
Gist of Idea
One theory says metaphors mean the same as the corresponding simile
Source
Ofra Magidor (Category Mistakes [2013], 3.5)
Book Ref
Magidor,Ofra: 'Category Mistakes' [OUP 2013], p.68
A Reaction
Magidor points out that this allows the metaphor to work while being meaningless, since all the work is done by the perfectly meaningful simile. But the metaphor must at least mean enough to indicate what the simile is.
Related Idea
Idea 18025 The simile view of metaphors removes their magic, and won't explain why we use them [Magidor]
| 1692 | If you shouldn't argue in metaphors, then you shouldn't try to define them either [Aristotle] |
| 7775 | Understanding a metaphor is a creative act, with no rules [Davidson] |
| 7776 | Metaphors just mean what their words literally mean [Davidson] |
| 7777 | We accept a metaphor when we see the sentence is false [Davidson] |
| 19161 | We indicate use of a metaphor by its obvious falseness, or trivial truth [Davidson] |
| 8861 | Hardly a word in the language is devoid of metaphorical potential [Yablo] |
| 18024 | One theory says metaphors mean the same as the corresponding simile [Magidor] |
| 18023 | Theories of metaphor divide over whether they must have literal meanings [Magidor] |
| 18025 | The simile view of metaphors removes their magic, and won't explain why we use them [Magidor] |
| 18026 | Maybe a metaphor is just a substitute for what is intended literally, like 'icy' for 'unemotional' [Magidor] |
| 18028 | Gricean theories of metaphor involve conversational implicatures based on literal meanings [Magidor] |
| 18029 | Non-cognitivist views of metaphor says there are no metaphorical meanings, just effects of the literal [Magidor] |
| 18022 | Metaphors tend to involve category mistakes, by joining disjoint domains [Magidor] |
| 18027 | Metaphors as substitutes for the literal misses one predicate varying with context [Magidor] |