Metaphor and Science

In this paper, after some preliminary and historical remarks on the concept of metaphor, two recent philosophical analyses of metaphor (the interactive view and the causal view) will be introduced and critically analyzed. Then different functions of metaphor in relation to science will be discussed. The first function is to describe different aspects of scientific inquiry. The second function is to facilitate science education. The third function is to provide clues for scientific discoveries or to suggest ways of developing current theories. It will be argued that neither the interactive nor the causal view can explain this function of metaphor alone. A hybrid view is required to do this job. Finally, we will consider the suggestion that any model in science is a metaphor, and therefore doing science is a metaphorical activity in principle. It will be pointed out that this radical view does not hold for (at least) some scientific models.