Icons of novel thought: A new perspective on Peirce's definition of metaphor (CP 2.277)
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Claas Lattmann,
Claas Lattmann (b. 1978) is a postdoctoral research fellow at Kiel University 〈clattmann@email.uni-kiel.de〉. His research interests include ancient Greek literature (especially lyric and philosophy), literary theory, history of science, and model theory. His publications includeSelbstorganisierte Systemzeiten. Ein interdisziplinärer Diskurs zur Modellierung lebender Systeme auf der Grundlage interner Rhythmen (co-editor, 2002); “Die Dichtungsklassifikation des Aristoteles. Eine neue Interpretation von Aristot. Poet. 1448a19–24” (2005);Das Gleiche im Verschiedenen. Metapher des Sports und Lob des Siegers in Pindars Epinikien (2010); “The semantics of models: A semiotic philosophy of science approach” (with B. Kralemann, forthcoming).
Abstract
This paper tries to elucidate Peirce's notoriously obscure definition of metaphor (CP 2.277) in the context of his general theory of signs. It is argued that Peirce defined metaphor not as a proposition, but as a genuinely original iconic (meta-)sign that represents a novel sign relation and, hence, novel thought. The adequacy of this approach is discussed against the background of rival theories of metaphor. This shows, inter alia, 1) that metaphors can and must be interpreted like ordinary signs (which in particular allows for paraphrases); 2) how they get conventional and how they can be revived; and 3) that they are intrinsically independent of linguistic levels (e.g., words) and media (e.g., natural language). Peirce's theory thus turns out to be a reasonable explanation of a central semiotic phenomenon and, hence, promises to serve as a powerful tool for modern literary and cultural studies.
About the author
Claas Lattmann (b. 1978) is a postdoctoral research fellow at Kiel University 〈clattmann@email.uni-kiel.de〉. His research interests include ancient Greek literature (especially lyric and philosophy), literary theory, history of science, and model theory. His publications include Selbstorganisierte Systemzeiten. Ein interdisziplinärer Diskurs zur Modellierung lebender Systeme auf der Grundlage interner Rhythmen (co-editor, 2002); “Die Dichtungsklassifikation des Aristoteles. Eine neue Interpretation von Aristot. Poet. 1448a19–24” (2005); Das Gleiche im Verschiedenen. Metapher des Sports und Lob des Siegers in Pindars Epinikien (2010); “The semantics of models: A semiotic philosophy of science approach” (with B. Kralemann, forthcoming).
©[2012] by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
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- Termes d'adresse et liste
- Vision science: An empirical basis for Roentgen semiotics
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