Metaphors Are A Powerful Tool For My Thinking Ability-How About You?

Answer 1

I use metaphors and analogies ALL the time. They are practically second languages to me.

I developed it in high school when I tutored chemistry and physics. Since then they have been tools to help me understand and/or to explain to others everything from SPAM email to Aikido.

I don't know if its objectively a good strategy, but it works very well so I'm not going to try to loose a fight I seem to be winning - there's one for you right there. lol

Psyengine - Interesting post. Assuming the classifications you use are an accurate representation, I wonder if 'final' stage of being able to construct and consider 'formal' thought is a function of raw intelligence (however you want to define that nebulous term) or a function of education.

The comment seems to imply that industrialized nations are the only environment that allows an education level needed to nurture the potential for formal thought...... or does it mean that industrialized nations are the only ones that have take the time to study cognitive development in a scientific way where industrialization is not a influencing factor but merely an observation potential factor.

Curious to your thoughts since you quoted the various developmental stages better than any other post has.

Makes me wonder though - I've always thought that use of metaphor and analogy was as common to everyone as it was to me. It seems you are suggesting otherwise.

Not trying to make unfounded conclusions, just trying to make sure I understand what you are saying.

Answer 2

The Will is positive, the Judgment is negative.

Metaphor is the foundation for higher abstract thinking and formal cognitive functioning. Our whole mind is arranged such that the simple substance of sense IS order and that the order of one experience is compared to the order of the memory of an other. AS our thinking is operating with general principle our language is likewise constructed using this principle and description becomes practical value. Of course in great fiction non-abstact uses of metaphor make possible vivacious and stimulating descriptive.

http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/piaget.html

Stages of Cognitive Development. Piaget identified four stages in cognitive development:

Sensorimotor stage (Infancy). In this period (which has 6 stages), intelligence is demonstrated through motor activity without the use of symbols. Knowledge of the world is limited (but developing) because its based on physical interactions / experiences. Children acquire object permanence at about 7 months of age (memory). Physical development (mobility) allows the child to begin developing new intellectual abilities. Some symbollic (language) abilities are developed at the end of this stage.

Pre-operational stage (Toddler and Early Childhood). In this period (which has two substages), intelligence is demonstrated through the use of symbols, language use matures, and memory and imagination are developed, but thinking is done in a nonlogical, nonreversable manner. Egocentric thinking predominates

Concrete operational stage (Elementary and early adolescence). In this stage (characterized by 7 types of conservation: number, length, liquid, mass, weight, area, volume), intelligence is demonstarted through logical and systematic manipulation of symbols related to concrete objects. Operational thinking develops (mental actions that are reversible). Egocentric thought diminishes.

Formal operational stage (Adolescence and adulthood). In this stage, intelligence is demonstrated through the logical use of symbols related to abstract concepts. Early in the period there is a return to egocentric thought. Only 35% of high school graduates in industrialized countries obtain formal operations; many people do not think formally during adulthood.

Answer 3

Agreed. Similarly, we love stories and connect with them as well. I heard a speaker, Gary Smalley, talk about how metaphors, or emotional word pictures, can open doors of communication in many intense situations. They can make someone more open to listening to you if you use a word picture instead of blasting them right away with your viewpoint or complaint.

Answer 4

Definitely. I love metaphors, I think in metaphors all the time.

Answer 5

Good Q. If you go to any of my yahoo areas you'll see I not only use metaphor and analogy often, but admit to it.

Steven Wolf

Answer 6

Absolutely.

Answer 7

i think with my brain not tools

Answer 8

yeph....but not always