The word “the” can be seen as a metaphor

In speaking of how language can be seen as a kind of metaphor, consider the word “the.” The word assumes that the world is divided in the same way our minds divide it, and it seems a very hypnotic metaphor indeed. In terms of human tragedy and suffering, think of what has been provoked by generalizations such as “the Jews” or “the Blacks.” More subtly, remember that the phrase “the length of the rod” seemed to be a perfectly reasonable and objective phrase until Einstien demonstated that a rod has various lengths depending on the velocity of it and also depending on the relative velocity of the person measuring it.

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References

Wilson, A., Robert (1986). The New Inquisition Chapter 1 Models, Metaphors, and Idols (Page 24 · Location 378). Grand Junction, Colorado: Hilaritas Press

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Type:🔴 Tags: Psychology / Sociology / Semantics / Linguistics / Philosophy / Epistemology Status:☀️