Introducing the Book “Metaphor in Truth: The Entrance of Metaphors into Science” by Hossein Dabbagh

Introducing the Book “Metaphor in Truth: The Entrance of Metaphors into Science” by the Book’s Author (Hossein Dabbagh)

The present treatise, “Metaphor in Truth: The Entrance of Metaphors into Science,” if it may humbly envision a service for itself, is the introduction of a cognitive approach to metaphors. That is, through metaphors, one can recognize and learn something new. Metaphors that have hitherto been the main actors and played their role in literature, poetry, novels, and so on, now change their role and enter the arena of science with authority, bringing about breakthroughs for scientists. I have provided an account of these breakthroughs in a separate chapter. How and in what manner metaphors infiltrate and permeate science, and what is born from their union, is the heartfelt exposition of this book. In the first chapter of the book, I have briefly, by way of opening the discussion, addressed the definition of metaphor according to literary scholars and masters of rhetoric. From Islamic sages such as Jurjani, Jahiz, and Mu‘taz, to Richards, the Western philosopher of language, much has been said about metaphor. After examining their views, I have also alluded to the definition of metaphor according to Aristotelians and Platonists. In the second chapter, I have juxtaposed the two views of Max Black (interactionist) and Donald Davidson (causal) and focused on the views of Black—as a later philosopher of language who has written extensively on metaphor. Finally, the cognitive view of George Lakoff, to which this treatise acknowledges its debt, is introduced. Lakoff’s view of metaphors teaches us that metaphors are not merely for the embellishment of language. Through metaphors, we learn new things in an epistemic manner. This view of metaphors opens the way for science to enter the field of knowledge.

The third chapter is responsible for discussing the connection and relationship between metaphor and science. To accomplish this, I have enlisted the views of philosophers of science to clarify the role of models and analogies in science. Philosophers clarify for us how models and analogies in various sciences (especially empirical ones) play the role of metaphors. As examples, the models of Robert Boyle, Sadi Carnot, and the alchemists of the Middle Ages have been put under discussion and scrutiny.

The final chapter, however, delves into the history of science and puts the works of Robert Boyle, Louis Pasteur, and Charles Darwin, as giants of the natural sciences, to the test of experience. By looking into the works of these scientists, one can understand how metaphors played a role in the formation of their theories.

The present book is the first volume of a series that the author of this work has in mind. In the second volume, whose publication is imminent, I will enlist the philosophical theories of metaphor and the cognitive approach to metaphors and test them against theories of reference in the philosophy of language. If the present book introduces the theories of Max Black, the late American philosopher of language, the second volume of the book addresses the views of the contemporary philosopher of language and science, Richard Boyd.

The present book is the first volume of a series that the author of this work has in mind. In the second volume, whose publication is imminent, I will enlist the philosophical theories of metaphor and the cognitive approach to metaphors and test them against theories of reference in the philosophy of language. If the present book introduces the theories of Max Black, the late American philosopher of language, the second volume of the book addresses the views of the contemporary philosopher of language and science, Richard Boyd.

In this book, wherever necessary, I have brought in the works of Max Black and translated them verbatim. Although, since the main purpose of this writing was not to translate Black’s works and it did not harbor such an ambition, it has fallen short of this important task. However, since knowledge has a collective nature and requires the gathering of efforts, this humble writer’s suggestion to the other actors in the philosophical community is to undertake the translation of the following works by Black.

Black, Max (1954). “Metaphor”, Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, Vol. 55, pp. 273–294. Black, Max (1962). Models and Metaphors: Studies in Language and Philosophy, Cornell University Press. Black, Max (1979). “More about Metaphor”, in A. Ortony (ed.): Metaphor and Thought, Cambridge University Press.

Lastly, this work considers itself indebted to the unstinting guidance of Dr. Hossein Sheikh Rezaei, a faculty member of the Iranian Institute of Philosophy. The lengthy discussions I had with him greatly assisted me in writing this book. Dr. Abdolkarim Soroush, out of kindness, read the book from cover to cover and placed me in his debt with his pointers. Dr. Hossein Valeh, a faculty member of Beheshti University, also guided me during the writing of this treatise. I am grateful for all their efforts. It goes without saying that all the shortcomings and deficiencies of this treatise are my own, and no speck of fault settles on the mantle of these professors. In addition, I thank Mr. Sagharvani, the director of Hermes Publications, and Ms. Hamideh Baghernejad, Ms. Narges Ghanbari, and Ms. Zahra Aali for their efforts in helping me bring this work to print. I hope that this book will prove agreeable to the philosophical community of Iran and be well-received among students and academics. If a voice is raised and a criticism arises, I welcome them all: "Come hither, O friends, come to me."

Hossein Dabbagh University of Reading and University of Oxford, England Ordibehesht 1392

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The book “Metaphor in Truth: The Entrance of Metaphors into Science,” authored by Mohammad Hossein Dabbagh, a publication of Hermes, in 181 pages, priced at 80,000 Rials, is available at the Serat Publications bookstore. Those interested in obtaining this book can visit from 9 AM to 5:30 PM at the following address: Palestine Square, West Taleghani Street, North Sarparast Street, Tabriz Alley, No. 19, and for more information, contact telephone numbers 13 — 88976211.

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