Metaphor, Feeling and Reason: Positioning Mencius' Argumentation in Contemporary Western Philosophy
Vol. 38 No. 3 9/2008
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Title |
Metaphor, Feeling and Reason: Positioning Mencius' Argumentation in Contemporary Western Philosophy |
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Author |
Norman Y. Teng |
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Genre |
Article |
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Pages |
485-504 |
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Download |
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Language |
Chinese |
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Key words |
metaphor, feeling, reframing, Mencius, John Rawls |
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Abstract |
This study offers a metaphorical analysis of Mencius' arguments. A prominent tactic that Mencius uses in his arguments is reframing. He does not merely argue for or against a conclusion; instead he also reframes the presuppositions and changes the metaphors surrounding a particular issue and, in doing so, alters people's views on that issue. The Mencian tactic of reframing is applied not only to argumentation; it is also used to readjust people's feelings and perceptions of what is reasonable in moral and political domains. The fact of reasonable pluralism in our time, as characterized by John Rawls (1993/2005), makes this reframing tactic even more apt. A comparison of Rawls' theory of justice and Mencius' political thought is made with reference to the reframing perspective. |