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Metaphor,
parapsychology, and psi: An examination of metaphors related to paranormal
experience |
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Written by Administrator
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sexta, 10 setembro 2004 |
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Williams, Carl (1996). Metaphor, parapsychology, and psi: An examination of
metaphors related to paranormal experience and parapsychological research.
Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, 90(3), (pp.
174-201) Abstract The contemporary view of
metaphor as proposed by G. Lakoff and M. Johnson (1980) attempts to provide a
more useful and accurate account of human experience than the objectivist
explanations. In contrast to these, it emphasizes the importance of metaphor,
imagination, and embodiment in our interactions with reality. This paper
focuses on the metaphorical constructions employed in categorizing the
phenomena investigated in parapsychology and psychical research. It is
proposed that 3 main metaphors have been used: intrusions,
transmissions/forces, and connections. These metaphors reflect the ways in
which researchers, interested parties, experients, and laypersons have sought
to structure their experiences and beliefs; as such, they provide valuable
information about the way in which these parties understand psi. In addition,
a brief examination is also made of the relevance of metaphors to
quantitative and qualitative research, and their use in the rhetorical
communicatio!n of psi concepts.
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