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"Meaning-making" in language and biology
1Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. yneuman@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
|August 9, 2005
Summary
This study explores biological systems through a nonrepresentational theory of metaphor, suggesting meaning-making is key. It reveals how micro-level disorganization drives macro-level organization in both linguistic and biological contexts.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Science
- Theoretical Biology
- Cognitive Linguistics
Background:
- Traditional linguistic metaphor in biology relies on representational theories comparing pre-defined domains.
- A generative and nonrepresentational conception of metaphor offers an alternative framework.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the utility of a nonrepresentational conception of metaphor for understanding biological systems.
- To analyze how meaning-making processes contribute to biological organization.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of metaphor theory.
- Comparative analysis of linguistic and biological organizational principles.
Main Results:
- Adopting a nonrepresentational view of metaphor shifts focus to meaning-making in biological systems.
- Both linguistic and biological systems utilize micro-level disorganization to achieve macro-level organization at boundary conditions.
Conclusions:
- Meaning-making, viewed through nonrepresentational metaphor, provides a valuable perspective for understanding biological systems.
- The principle of using micro-level disorganization for macro-level organization is a shared characteristic across different organizational levels and domains.
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