The Trouble with Medicine’s Metaphors
“Ive long wondered whether that word-fighter-and the other military language used to help her conceptualize her disease did more harm than good”
I believe it depends on the specific type of person. Some people take a challenge a certain way and can either prosper or they crumble under the pressure.
“Metaphors are a fundamental mechanism through which our minds conceptualize the world around us, especially in the face of complexity.”
I agree with this quote because metaphors really give a better understanding of words, situations and ideas. Many of these can be very complex and difficult to understand but with help from metaphors people get a better understanding of the literal definition and meaning of the actual word.
“Indeed, for many patients, thinking of their treatment as a fight or battle may be helpful, an important part of their journey, invoking ideals of courage, resilience, and determination”
This adds to the conversation about whether the use of military language and metaphors are actually a negative to healing or a positive which actually impacts the process positively. In my opinion even though never personally never having to go through something like this, I believe I would be positively affected and very motivated by military language and metaphors as if I was in a fight for my life.
SEE THROUGH WORDS
“These two competing theories pose a question: do people interpret new metaphors more easily when the comparison between two domains is apt that is, when the two metaphors seem to fit with each other.”
This quote has some relevance because it posees about how people perceive metaphors. Many people can look at them different ways and react dissimilarly to others.
James Geary TED Talk
“Sadly, its metaphorically true. And the metaphorical truth interfere with our ability to identify it as literally false. Metaphor matters because it’s around us every day, all the time. Metaphor matters because it creates expectations.”
People have there own perceptions of metaphors and their meanings. They affect individuals differently and can lead to different feelings on metaphors.
when you say that you would be encouraged by military-language if you were in a fight for your life, that’s very powerful and meaningful. I know you can’t maybe exactly relate to this particular battle, but maybe if you could think of some struggle in your life that ended up impacting you in some way whether or not the outcome was good or bad, that could make your post stronger.