In 'Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things', George Lakoff explores how language shapes our thoughts and influences our understanding of the world. He dives deep into the cognitive science of categorization, revealing how our mental frameworks dictate perceptions of gender, culture, and even danger. Through captivating examples, Lakoff challenges traditional notions of language and meaning, showing how they reflect our social realities. As he uncovers the connections between language, mind, and society, readers are prompted to rethink their own conceptual boundaries. This groundbreaking work is both a scholarly examination and an invitation to explore the complexities of human cognition.
By George Lakoff
Published: 1990
"The way we think is shaped by the metaphors we live by, influencing not only our language but also our perception of reality."
"Its publication should be a major event for cognitive linguistics and should pose a major challenge for cognitive science. In addition, it should have repercussions in a variety of disciplines, ranging from anthropology and psychology to epistemology and the philosophy of science. . . . Lakoff asks: What do categories of language and thought reveal about the human mind? Offering both general theory and minute details, Lakoff shows that categories reveal a great deal."—David E. Leary, American Scientist
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“The way we think is shaped by the metaphors we live by, influencing not only our language but also our perception of reality.”
Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things
By George Lakoff
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George Lakoff is an esteemed American cognitive linguist and philosopher, known for his influential works on language, thought, and how they shape human perception and reality. He is the author of several notable books, including "Metaphors We Live By" (co-authored with Mark Johnson), "Don't Think of an Elephant!" and "The Political Mind." Lakoff's writing style combines rigorous academic analysis with accessible prose, making complex ideas about metaphor, framing, and cognition approachable to a broad audience. He has significantly impacted the fields of linguistics, cognitive science, and political discourse.
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