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Single Idea 19161
[filed under theme 19. Language / F. Communication / 6. Interpreting Language / d. Metaphor
]
Full Idea
The sentences that contain metaphors are typically obviously false or trivially true, because these are typically indications that something is intended as a metaphor.
Gist of Idea
We indicate use of a metaphor by its obvious falseness, or trivial truth
Source
Donald Davidson (Truth and Predication [2005], 6)
Book Ref
Davidson,Donald: 'Truth and Predication' [Belknap Harvard 2005], p.123
A Reaction
A nice point which sounds correct. Metaphors are famous being false, but the 'obvious' falseness signals the metaphor. If a metaphor is only obscurely false, that makes it difficult to read.
The
14 ideas
with the same theme
[using falsehoods to enhance understanding]:
1692
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If you shouldn't argue in metaphors, then you shouldn't try to define them either
[Aristotle]
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7775
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Understanding a metaphor is a creative act, with no rules
[Davidson]
|
7776
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Metaphors just mean what their words literally mean
[Davidson]
|
7777
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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
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Hardly a word in the language is devoid of metaphorical potential
[Yablo]
|
18022
|
Metaphors tend to involve category mistakes, by joining disjoint domains
[Magidor]
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18023
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Theories of metaphor divide over whether they must have literal meanings
[Magidor]
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18024
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One theory says metaphors mean the same as the corresponding simile
[Magidor]
|
18027
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Metaphors as substitutes for the literal misses one predicate varying with context
[Magidor]
|
18025
|
The simile view of metaphors removes their magic, and won't explain why we use them
[Magidor]
|
18026
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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
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Non-cognitivist views of metaphor says there are no metaphorical meanings, just effects of the literal
[Magidor]
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