Metaphor, Metonymy, and Experientialist Philosophy: Challenging Cognitive Semantics (Topics in English Linguistics)

The present book provides a detailed criticism of experientialist semantics, focusing both on philosophical issues connected with experientialism and on cognitive approaches to metaphor and metonymy. Particular emphasis is placed on the works of George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, but other cognitivists are also taken into consideration. Verena Haser proposes a new approach to the distinction between metaphor and metonymy, which contrasts with familiar cognitivist models, but also builds on some insights gained in cognitivist research. She also offers an account of metaphorical transfer which dispenses with the notion of conceptual metaphors in the sense of Lakoff and Johnson. She argues that conceptual metaphors are not a useful construct for explaining metaphorical transfer, and that the clustering of metaphorical expressions is better accounted for in terms of family resemblances between metaphorical expressions. Another major goal of this work is a reassessment of the relationship between experientialism and traditional Western philosophy (often subsumed under the vague term "objectivism"). This book contrasts with most other critical approaches to experientialism by providing close readings of key passages from the works of Lakoff and Johnson, which enables the author to pinpoint theory-internal inconsistencies and other shortcomings not noted in previous publications. This book will be relevant to students and scholars interested in semantics and cognitive linguistics, and also in psychology and philosophy of language. Acknowledgements List of figures Chapter 1. Introductory remarks 1.1 Subject matter and central claims 1.2 Experientialism and the study of metaphor 1.3 The dawning of a new age? 1.4 Organization of the individual chapters Chapter 2. Metaphor and metonymy in cognitive linguistics 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Criteria for distinguishing metaphor and metonymy 2.3 General problems with cognitivist analyses 2.4 An alternative approach 2.5 Summary Chapter 3. ARGUMENT IS WAR and Cognitive Linguistics 3.1 Introduction 3.2 ARGUMENT IS WAR in Lakoff/Johnson’s works 3.3 Summary Chapter 4. Early cognitivists and the myth of objectivism 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Pre-echoes of Lakoff/Johnson’s theory of metaphor 4.3 Objectivism, objectivity, and myths 4.4 Lakoff/Johnson’s theory of truth 4.5 “The myth of objectivism”: A close reading 4.6 Lakoff/Johnson (1999) on the Fregean tradition 4.7 Experientialist philosophy by other cognitivists 4.8 Summary Chapter 5. Cognitive semantics: The theoretical framework 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Family resemblances and mental images 5.3 Mental images and experientialist semantics 5.4 Basic-level categories and “direct understanding” 5.5 The foundation of cognitive semantics 5.6 Summary Chapter 6. Lakoff/Johnson’s theory of metaphor 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Lakoff/Johnson on metaphorical concepts 6.3 Lakoff/Johnson on metaphorical “structuring” 6.4 Metaphorical definitions 6.5 Understanding metaphorical concepts 6.6 Lakoff/Johnson on the experiential basis of metaphors 6.7 A preliminary glance at Lakoff/Johnson (1999) 6.8 Summary Chapter 7. Metaphorical expressions – metaphorical concepts 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The level of generality of source domains 7.3 Alternative groupings of metaphorical expressions 7.4 Case studies: Further examples and implications 7.5 Ordinary vs. metaphorical concepts 7.6 Family resemblances and metaphorical concepts 7.7 Summary Chapter 8. The conceptual metaphor view: Recent developments and criticism 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Psychological criticism of Lakoff/Johnson’s theory 8.3 On primary metaphors 8.4 Family resemblances, primary metaphors, and complex metaphors 8.5 Summary Chapter 9. Conclusion Appendix: ARGUMENT IS WAR in Lakoff (1987) Notes Bibliography Index This Book Offers A Critical Perspective On Cognitive Approaches To Metaphor, Metonymy, And The Philosophical Background Underpinning Experientialist Semantics. Particular Emphasis Is Placed On The Works Of George Lakoff, Mark Johnson And Congenial Cognitivists. Verena Haser Suggests That We Abandon Some Familiar Methodological Principles Connected With Experientialist Research. Instead, She Proposes A New Perspective On The Distinction Between Metaphor And Metonymy And Provides An Account Of Metaphorical Transfer That Does Not Rely On The Notion Of Conceptual Metaphor. Close Readings Of Key Passages From Writings By Lakoff And Johnson, Among Others, Are The Basis Of A Detailed Criticism Of Key Experientialist Tenets. This Book Will Be Relevant To Students And Scholars Interested In Semantics And Cognitive Linguistics, And Also In Psychology And Philosophy Of Language.--book Jacket. 1. Introduction -- 2. Metaphor And Metonymy In Cognitive Linguistics -- 3. Argument Is War And Cognitive Linguistics -- 4. Early Cognitivists And The Myth Of Objectivism -- 5. Cognitive Semantics: The Theoretical Framework -- 6. Lakoff/johnson's Theory Of Metaphor -- 7. Metaphorical Expressions -- Metaphorical Concepts -- 8. Recent Developments And Criticism Of The Conceptual Metaphor View -- 9. Conclusion -- Appendix: Argument Is War In Lakoff (1987) By Verena Haser. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Main description: This book offers a critical perspective on cognitive approaches to metaphor, metonymy, and the philosophical background underpinning experientialist semantics. Particular emphasis is placed on the works of George Lakoff, Mark Johnson and congenial cognitivists. Verena Haser suggests that we abandon some familiar methodological principles connected with experientialist research. Instead, she proposes a new perspective on the distinction between metaphor and metonymy and provides an account of metaphorical transfer that does not rely on the notion of conceptual metaphor. Close readings of key passages from writings by Lakoff and Johnson, among others, are the basis of a detailed criticism of key experientialist tenets. This book will be relevant to students and scholars interested in semantics and cognitive linguistics, and also in psychology and philosophy of language The past decades have seen a spate of papers and monographs on metaphor from scholars adhering to different approaches.