[MD] Mystics and Brains

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting craigerb at comcast.net:

> [Arlo] 
> > All words are metaphor. It is a shared understanding in a given pragmatic 
> > context that makes a word "literal". When I say "voice" (or "mind", or 
> > "spirit"), and say that as a pointer I find that particular metaphor valuable,
> > I do this from an intuitive point, but I don't delude myself into thinking that
> > MY valuable metaphor is RIGHT for all people and all times. Indeed, it changes
> > for me as well.
> 
> Why not say: It is a shared understanding in a given pragmatic context that makes
> a word "MEANINGFUL"?  Then, words are used literally when they're used with their
> usual meaning & used
> metaphorically only if they're used with other than their usual meaning.

Excellent insight, Craig. By concentrating on "meaning" we get to the essence
of words whether used literally, metaphorically, ironically, or otherwise. 



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