Analogical Reasoning and Metaphor in Uncovering the Essence of Smart Technologies

Abstract

Purpose: The paper substantiates the critical role of analogical reasoning and figurative language in constructing and interpreting the concepts of smart technologies and stresses the importance of metaphor as a linguo-cognitive mechanism used to interpret contested or ambiguous concepts of ubiquitous computing. The main purpose of the study is to identify the dominant metaphorical models for conceptualizing smart technologies, reveal the explanatory potential of metaphor and outline the consequences of specific metaphors application for further development of smart technologies. Design/Methodology/Approach: Methodologically, the current research relies on the theory of embodied cognition, according to which there is a complex inextricable link between our sensory-motor experience and behavior, emotions and decision-making (Varela et al. 1991; Lakoff and Johnson 1980); the neural theory of language and metaphor (Feldman 2006; Lakoff 2009), which postulates that it is metaphor that enables us to understand complex, abstract concepts (target domains) through establishing cross-domain mappings with more familiar, concrete concepts (source domains); as well as the theory of conceptual integration/blending theory (Fauconnier et al. 2003). Findings: The paper claims that, being complex cognitive mechanisms, metaphors serve to effectively “inspire” new associations regarding the nature of smart technologies, highlighting important aspects of ubiquitous computing. However, one should be strikingly cautious when creating new analogies, since some of them can be extremely deceptive, misleading us and distorting the essence and the long-run objective of applying smart technologies. The importance of analogical reasoning verbalized by metaphors should not be underestimated, since the latter act simultaneously as interpreting tools of complex concepts and as means guiding the further development of information infrastructures of smart technologies. Originality/Value: The novelty of the proposed approach lies in the author’s attempt to apply the major assumptions of the embodied cognition theory in combination with the neural theory of language and simulation semantics to the analysis of the smart technologies concepts, many of which are metaphorical in nature.