Metaphor as a Factor of Evolutionary Variability of Scientific Theories

The article analyzes philosophical problems related to the study of the verbalization of new knowledge. Special attention is given to identifying the place and role of metaphor in the linguistic expression of this knowledge. The originality of metaphorical speech in various fields of creativity (science, poetry, and mythology) is characterized. The analysis of the features of the metaphorical language of science is conducted mainly through the history of development of physical knowledge. The author aims to develop his own generalizing concept of metaphor based on Russian philosopher Alexander Nikiforov’s theory about the structure of human cognition, consisting of three contexts (material, cultural, and personal) with the elements of which a scientist compares a new phenomenon. In this regard, the essence of the metaphor lies in the interplay of similarities and differences between the scientist’s personal experience and new data. Ultimately, new knowledge is formed with the establishment of a metaphor that interprets the new phenomenon. Initially, a so-called root metaphor is formulated, expressing the main aspect of the new knowledge. Subsequently, a network of clarifying auxiliary metaphors develops around it, interlocking due to the increasing interaction of various aspects of the scientist’s personal experience with different aspects of a new phenomenon being framed into new knowledge. In this case, the metaphor acts as an integral element of the conceptual populations, according to Stephen Toulmin. The content of these populations has not sufficient elaborated in the British philosopher’s teaching, and the author of the article addresses this gap. From his perspective, it is the metaphor that can act as a basic element of such populations, thereby becoming the primary measure of evolutionary variability of scientific theories. In addition, the author believes that the metaphorical definition of Toulmin’s basic element of conceptual populations can resolve conflicts between different approaches to describing scientific progress. Focusing on the description of its nature rather than on the extent of variability of scientific knowledge will allow the conflicting parties to unite. 

Keywords: scientific cognition, new knowledge, scientific theory, scientific progress, verbalization, metaphor, evolutionary epistemology, semantics