Unravelling the Myth/Metaphor Layer in Causal Layered Analysis

While all layers are always present and all are vital to understand any situation, Inayatullah (2003b, p.6) places a “higher” value on the mythic/metaphor layer because it informs all the other layers. Meadows (2008) similarly believes the most effective leverage point in a system is one that “transcends the paradigm”. For Meadows the “highest” lev... See more

Lakoff reminds us that metaphors are the fundamental building blocks we use to make sense of our world and provide a framework for acting in the world

A metaphor is formed when two aspects of the world become linked together in a meaningful way. For example, we talk of a stormy meeting. We take the turmoil and chaos of a storm and make correspondences with the turmoil and chaos of a conflicted meeting.

The physical world and the cognitive worlds become linked through metaphors.