Publications

Publication details [#5294]

Goschler, Juliana. 2007. Metaphors in cognitive and neurosciences: Which impact have metaphors on scientific theories and models? Metaphorik.de 12 : 7–20. 14 pp.

Abstract

Adopting a Cognitive Linguistics perspective, this article offers a description of the most frequent metaphor types used in the discourse of Cognitive and Neurosciences. The main metaphor types analysed are (i) reification and spatial metaphors (e.g. PATH metaphors), (ii) personification metaphors (e.g. THE BRAIN IS AN ACTING PERSON), and (iii) computer metaphors (e.g. THE BRAIN IS A COMPUTER). The author proposes the idea that each major metaphor type corresponds with some major theoretical problems in this field. For example, the author describes how the computer metaphor led to the assumption of a complete knowledge of the brain (and the possibility of building artificial brains), something that has not happened yet, as the author points out. (Noelia Jiménez Martínez-Losa, Ruiz de Mendoza Group)