Deree Professor Joanna Patsioti addressed students and faculty on Aristotle’s study of metaphors and their use in both classical and contemporary contexts. Patsioti elaborated on the definition of metaphors in Aristotle, who was “the first to offer systematic study of metaphors and their connection to analogy”.

She also referred to classical texts by Isocrates and Plato, as well as more contemporary thinkers, who argued that metaphors play a role that’s not only decorative but also substantial in our language.

She said metaphors are often a reflection of the culture that produces them. In maritime Britain, for example, metaphors related to the sea abound.

In the discussion that followed the lecture, audience members noted the aesthetic aspect of metaphors in language and their importance in news media. They also explored the impact of Aristotle’s perspective on history on the role he attributed to metaphors.