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The rule of metaphor by Paul Ricoeur
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Book Overview
In The Rule of Metaphor, Ricoeur examines how metaphor works beyond simple substitution (replacing one word with another). He introduces the idea of “semantic innovation,” where metaphor creates new meaning by bringing together seemingly unrelated concepts. For example, when we say “time is a river,” the metaphor does not just compare—it generates fresh insight into how we experience time.
Ricoeur draws on earlier thinkers such as Aristotle but moves beyond classical theories by emphasizing the creative and interpretive power of metaphor in discourse. He argues that metaphor operates at the level of the sentence (not just individual words) and that it reshapes reality by allowing us to see the world differently.
The book also connects metaphor to broader issues in interpretation (hermeneutics), suggesting that understanding metaphor is key to understanding texts, symbols, and even human experience itself.
