Making Truth: Metaphor in ScienceHow does science work? Making Truth: Metaphor in Science argues that most laypeople, and many scientists, do not have a clear understanding of how metaphor relates to scientific thinking. With stunning clarity, and bridging the worlds of scientists and nonscientists, Theodore L. Brown demonstrates the presence and the power of metaphorical thought. He presents a series of studies of scientific systems, ranging from the atom to current topics in chemistry and biology such as protein folding, chaperone proteins, and global warming. These case studies provide the basis for far-reaching conclusions about science as an intellectual and social practice and about the nature of scientific truth. |
Contents
Scientific Thought and Practice | 3 |
Introduction to Metaphor | 12 |
1 | 18 |
The Theory of Conceptual Metaphor | 31 |
The Classical Atom | 53 |
The Modern Atom | 74 |
Molecular Models in Chemistry and Biology | 100 |
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abstract alpha particles amino acids argument atmosphere atoms biology bonds called carbon cathode rays cell cell biology chain channels chaperone chapter charge chemical chemical bonds climate change CO₂ cognitive complex conceptual metaphor diffraction electron elements entity enzyme everyday example experimental folded form formulation fumarate reductase function gases global climate global temperature global warming greenhouse heat helix human hydrogen hydrophobic ical idea important interactions interpret ions J. J. Thomson kind knowledge Lakoff and Johnson language lattice literal mapping mathematical matter means metaphor in science methane microscopic molecules motion move nature nucleosomes nucleus objects observation domain occur particular philosophers plum pudding model polar predictions primordial substances properties protein folding quantum radiant energy radiation representation scientific reasoning scientists sense shown in figure social domain source domain space-filling model structure studies surface target domain things Thomson three-dimensional tion understanding