Mind the metaphor! A systematic fallacy in analogical reasoning

Fischer, Eugen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2088-1610 (2015) Mind the metaphor! A systematic fallacy in analogical reasoning. Analysis, 75 (1). pp. 67-77. ISSN 0003-2638

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Abstract

Conceptual metaphors facilitate both productive and pernicious analogical reasoning. This paper addresses the question: When and why does the frequently helpful use of metaphor become pernicious? By applying the most influential theoretical framework from cognitive psychology (structure-mapping theory) in analysing the philosophically most prominent example of pernicious metaphorical reasoning (the early modern transformation of ‘the mind’), we identify a philosophically relevant but previously undescribed fallacy in analogical reasoning with metaphors. We then outline an explanation of why even competent thinkers commit this fallacy and obtain a psychologically informed ‘debunking’ explanation of the kind experimental philosophy’s ‘sources project’ seeks.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	analogical inference,conceptual metaphor,mind metaphors,automatic inference,psychology of judgment and reasoning,debunking explanations
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies (former - to 2024)
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Wittgenstein Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Philosophy
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	09 Jan 2015 10:18
Last Modified:	18 Jun 2026 16:37
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/51714
DOI:	10.1093/analys/anu124

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