On Metaphor

by Sheldon Sacks (Editor)

On Metaphor , a collection of fourteen essays by eminent philosophers, literary critics, theologians, art historians, and psychologists, illustrates and explores a striking phenomenon in modern intellectual the transformation of metaphor from a specialized concern of rhetoricians and literary critics to a central concept in the study of human understanding. These lively and provocative essays probe the nature, function, and meaning of metaphor and collectively demonstrate the multidisciplinary implications of the concept.

Because of its comprehensive scope, the volume is useful both as a resource for those interested in contemporary philosophy and theories of language and as a text for courses in such areas as the philosophy of language, critical theory, and the philosophy of knowledge. Originally published as a special issue of Critical Inquiry , the present collection includes two new contributions by Max Black and Nelson Goodman, along with a comprehensive index to the work.

Genres: Philosophy, Art, Criticism

204 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1979

Reviews

[Sanjuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such volumes are always a mixed bag, because the essays in them cover a broad range of topics and not all of the essays will be relevant to every reader. For me, this volume got close to total relevance. This book features essays by luminaries such as Paul Ricoeur, Max Black, and Nelson Goodman, and the topics covered were of considerable relevance to all discussions of metaphor prior to 1980, and in many ways they are still relevant today even after the advent of the now dominant "cognitive metaphor theory." I made use of most of the essays in my own work, and more importantly, I learned a lot, which is difficult considering I've now spent a year entrenched in these topics. A great volume.