> I see metaphor as a vital tool to achieve new insights into a problem, issue
> or situation. It can allow us to take entirely new perspectives and look
> with different eyes at something (whoops - almost a tautology there).
>
The reality rather than metaphor is that we have only one set of
eyes we can see through. If you think you need another set of eyes,
or more literally; another perspective, then you have failed to be
objective. Objectiveness is the principle skill of the scientist--
social or physical.
Again, the metaphor has let understanding down without your
realization.
I too have found this interesting, although seen it discussed before,
and share with you the notion metaphor sparsely used is effective.
Someone wrote yesterday about the emotions (Barton Stanley I think)
produced in reading the parable of talents. While reading
his post was interesting I've seen emotions get in the way
of seeing things clearly. Emotions and vivid images are antithetical
to finding the truth. Truth is discerned from disciplined
rational thought while emotions allows us to lie to ourselves
and misperceive reality in favor of our feelings. If metaphor
conjures up images and emotions then we can do with out metaphor in
our search for the truth.
That written, I am a great fan of parable (usually Korean, Chinese,
and Japanese) as a means of teaching the young values. Values are
different than principles in that they need not be based in
identifiable facts. I assert that teaching those that have a rational
thought process through parable in place of learned rational thought
is damaging to understanding & truth. Without formal analysis to
support evidence to support this remains an assertion--not fact.
I've enjoyed the different views.
Charles Barclay 2404 Maile Way
Dept. of Mgmt & Ind Relations Honolulu, HI 96822
University of Hawaii Fax: 808 956-2774
barclay@busadm1.cba.hawaii.edu Phone: 808 956-8545
"The marketplace is much too Darwinian to permit that much
discussion." DEC CEO Robert Palmer assessing the effect of managers
working together in management decisions for foreign operations.
BusinessWeek 1994 Special Issue--21st Century Capitalism