Eyeballs, Circles and Rotations: Use of Scientific Metaphors in Emerson’s Nature and The Over-Soul
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2016
Pages:
40-48
Received:
31 August 2016
Accepted:
16 November 2016
Published:
17 December 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.11
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Abstract: The centrality of science to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s inherently transcendental way of comprehending the universal macrocosm and microcosm is evident. Transcendental essays of his abound in scientific metaphors, which still remain un-revisited in terms of their functions. This paper ventures examining them from the cognitive perspectives of the latest monolithic developments of conceptual approaches to metaphorology. Hence upon realization of the advent of a new cognitive paradigm created by science in the mid-late twentieth century, long after the death of Emerson, this paper throughout applies the idea of Experientialist Philosophy of Metaphor to offer an experientialist account of Emerson’s use of metaphor in his two essays, “Nature” and “The Over-Soul”. This exposition reflects that Emerson’s use of scientific metaphors helped him to develop what the author calls “scientific idealism” which subsequently led him to transcendentalism. The paper posits that Emerson gave a cognitive twist to the scientific truth and provided a new order to the latter in his move to justify transcendental ideals surrounding, human beings, nature and God and their interrelationship. In so doing he appears to have exhibited the synthesis of reason and understanding. In other words, his use of metaphors is neither strictly objective nor subjective, but secondarily experiential, which involves union of embodied reasoning and observation, characteristic of scientific epistemology in general and Johnsonian-Lakoffian Experientialist Philosophy in particular. The significance of this study lies in its revelation of new dimension of truth and reality as elucidated by his use of scientific metaphors. This exposition attaches novelty at a time when cognitive metaphor has been immensely considered to play a significant role in cognizing “Nature” and the place of man in it.
Abstract: The centrality of science to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s inherently transcendental way of comprehending the universal macrocosm and microcosm is evident. Transcendental essays of his abound in scientific metaphors, which still remain un-revisited in terms of their functions. This paper ventures examining them from the cognitive perspectives of the latest...
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Proposition: The “Quexclamation Mark” (QM) --- A Long-Needed Addition to Emphatic Interrogative/Rhetorical Grammar and Punctuation
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2016
Pages:
49-52
Received:
25 September 2016
Accepted:
29 November 2016
Published:
4 January 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.12
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Abstract: Typical questions, as sentences, are punctuated by the use of a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence. This informs the reader that the sentence is of an interrogative nature, and the, in spoken language, it requires a higher pitch than the ordinary statement type of sentence, which the writer intended, as a true question. Sometimes statements/sentences are posed as rhetorical questions, which do not require an answer and are often posed sarcastically. Often, there sarcastic/rhetorical questions (which are not intended as questions at all), are posed emphatically, in which case it is questionable whether the writer should punctuate it with a question mark (?) or an exclamation point (!), if not both. Persons learning English for the first time, such as school children, or those whose native language is not English, may not easily recognize an emphatic rhetorical question if it is punctuated merely by a question mark. Likewise, such individuals might not comprehend the question if it is punctuated merely by an exclamation point. Of course, the writer might use both (?!) together to punctuate the sentence, but this may cause more confusion. To remedy this problem, I propose the use of a new symbol which com bines both items into one. I call this herewith proposed symbol the “quexclamation mark”.
Abstract: Typical questions, as sentences, are punctuated by the use of a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence. This informs the reader that the sentence is of an interrogative nature, and the, in spoken language, it requires a higher pitch than the ordinary statement type of sentence, which the writer intended, as a true question. Sometimes statemen...
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Mo Yan and Chinese Pastoral Literature
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, November 2016
Pages:
53-57
Received:
1 September 2016
Accepted:
3 November 2016
Published:
5 January 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.13
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Abstract: Novel laureate in literature since 2012, the prominent Chinese novelist Mo Yan was born and raised in a village in the province of Shandong. His works are often themed on rural life. Contrary to the case in Turkey, researches on rural life in China have advanced on a continuous basis since the 20s of the 20th century in China. This can be explained with the fact that primarily Mo Yan and Jia Pingwa, as prominent novelists in China, never stopped writing on villages, villagers and inner world of peasants that endeavoured to lead the life in the city as they did back in the village. In this brief research study, we try to discuss in what way Mo Yan touched on the pastoral literature in his works.
Abstract: Novel laureate in literature since 2012, the prominent Chinese novelist Mo Yan was born and raised in a village in the province of Shandong. His works are often themed on rural life. Contrary to the case in Turkey, researches on rural life in China have advanced on a continuous basis since the 20s of the 20th century in China. This can be explained...
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