Mind Metaphors and States of Consciousness

September 19th, 2006 Fred McVittie Posted in Liquid, Metaphor, Mind, Transformation |

The various metaphors which we use to describe mind can be broadly gathered in three key groups; objects, substances, and spaces. The application of metaphor from each of these groupings is largely dependent upon the particular mental function or mental state one is trying to conceptualise of describe, and some metaphors lend themselves particularly well to describing complex states of mind and forms of consciousness. An example of this, drawn from the Substance group of metaphors, is that of MIND IS A LIQUID. The entailments of this metaphor, drawn from the variable properties and qualities of the source, allows a wide range of mental states to be conceptualised and described, and for these concepts to be structured in an organised way in accordance with the organisation of the source metaphor. LIQUID, typically water, can undergo a range of transformations, from solid ice to vaporous gas. It is capable of flowing and making its own channel, but also of being contained. When heated in a sealed container it is known for increasing in pressure and possibly exploding, when cooled it solidifies and acquires the form of the container holding it. Water can both be absorbed and can dissolve; taking other material into itself, or entering into other material completely. All these entailments, drawing on the variable properties of liquids, particularly water, structure the particular ontology of mind which draws on the MIND IS A LIQUID metaphor.