The method of metaphor

158 Pages·2013·3.717 MB·English

by  Ball, Bethan, Raffel, Stanley, Rhys, Emma, Sarlos, Stephanie

the Method
the Method
of Metaphor
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STANLEY RAFFEL
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Both sides in controversies tend to argue they have logic on their side.
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This book proposes that the interminable nature of these controversies
STANLEY RAFFEL
suggests there is a problem with the main tool of logic, the syllogism.
An alternative mode of judgment is needed. Drawing on contemporary
and classic sources in social theory and philosophy, Stanley Raffel
argues that metaphors are not just aesthetic tools; they can be used to
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judge phenomena. Featuring case studies drawn from both literary h
material including The Divine Comedy and classic fairy tales and current e

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controversial debates such as the controversy over abortion and the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict, The Method of Metaphor ultimately demonstrates the e
value of this neglected potential of metaphoric reasoning and shows its t
far-reaching implications for both moral behavior and moral education. h
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STANLEY RAFFEL is an Honorary Fellow at Edinburgh University

where he taught contemporary and classic social theory. He has been a o
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Visiting Professor at York University in Toronto. He was born in Boston,
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MA, and has lived in Scotland since 1971.
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‘Raffel makes a compelling case for the value of metaphor as a generator
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of similarities and differences, where these similarities and differences
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bring much-needed distinctiveness to situations that are in danger h
of being simplified, homogenized or rendered incommensurable by o
categorical reasoning. This is a significant advance in our understanding r
of the importance metaphor has for the way we think, and the way we
ought to think.’
Clive Cazeaux, Professor of Aesthetics, Cardiff Metropolitan University.
intellect | www.intellect.com
The Method of Metaphor
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The Method of Metaphor
Stanley Raffel
intellect Bristol, UK / Chicago, USA
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First published in the UK in 2013 by
Intellect, The Mill, Parnall Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3JG, UK
First published in the USA in 2013 by
Intellect, The University of Chicago Press, 1427 E. 60th Street,
Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Copyright © 2013 Intellect Ltd
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without written permission.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the
British Library.
Cover designer: Stephanie Sarlos
Copy-editor: Emma Rhys
Production manager: Bethan Ball
Typesetting: Contentra Technologies
Part of the Culture, Disease, and Well-Being: The Grey Zone of Health
and Illness series
Series editor: Alan Blum
Series ISSN: 2042-177X
Electronic ISSN: 2042-1788
Print ISBN: 978-1-78320-014-6
ePDF ISBN: 978-1-78320-155-6
ePub ISBN: 978-1-78320-154-9
Printed and bound by Hobbs, UK
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Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: Metaphor in Dante 11
Chapter 2: Metaphor in Fairy Tales 27
Chapter 3: Sontag’s Critique of Metaphors 39
Chapter 4: Abortion 55
Chapter 5: Metaphors and the Issue of Incommensurability 67
Chapter 6: Israel and Palestine 81
Chapter 7: The Problem of Evil 89
Chapter 8: Tragedy vs Comedy 101
Chapter 9: Teaching 111
Chapter 10: Oriented Action 123
Chapter 11: Bad Metaphors 133
References 143
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Acknowledgments
I am indebted to Alan Blum for his reading of previous drafts. He demonstrated an uncanny
ability to see what was still needed. Though Peter McHugh died before I began, both his
method and his substantive ideas have strongly influenced this book. A group consisting of
Eric Laurier, Allyson Noble, and Gregor Schnuer have offered sympathetic and perceptive
criticisms of all my work. I am grateful to Kieran Bonner for many stimulating conversations
over the years. A meeting of the Culture of Cities project in Toronto, Canada provided
valuable feedback on several chapters. As the book neared completion, Steve Bailey made
useful suggestions that have improved it. Without the encouragement of my wife, Elaine
Samuel, I am certain I would never have finished this work and doubt I would even have
started it.
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Introduction
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