Publications

Publication details [#10469]

Strohman, R. 2000. We need a metaphor to explain life's mystery. Nature 408 (6814) : 767–768. 2 pp.
Publication type
Article in journal
Publication language
English

Abstract

This brief opinion piece states its case for the use of metaphors in referring to biological life. Focusing especially on the ‘life is a machine’ metaphor, it argues that the ideological adherence to such metaphors may lead to progress as well as cause harm to humans and to the environment. To avoid this, it envisages the diffusion of metaphors more related to the experience of human life.