On The Logical Characteristic Of Metaphor

Rhetorical logic is a kind of new science, and it focuses on logical form as well as regularity of rhetorical phenomenon, but it is in the original process of logically analyzing the specific rhetoric. This essay tries to analyze it from metaphor rhetoric basing on the earlier research and using the method and fruit of logic and linguistics, furthermore not only establishes the thesis of metaphor expressing analogical inference at the aspect of tradition but also portrays the logical formula of metaphor relating mathematical logic, then embodies the relation between language and logic, and possesses positive theoretical meaning and practical meaning in order to fulfill natural language formalization. The whole body encloses four parts.The fist part is foreword. This part introduces the present situation, the goal and the meaning of this research, and explains the theoretical premise which must be comprehended in the process of researching the logical characteristic of metaphor. They are the relations between language and thought, between metaphor and thought, and between rhetoric and logic. We can understand the point of view and standpoint of researching the logical characteristic of metaphor only comprehending these relations.The second part is about the debating of the logical characteristic of metaphor. There are different statements in different texts about the logical characteristic of metaphor. Someone regards it as expressing concept, others regards it at expressing judging, and most people think it should express inference. And there are any controversies in the group of the third one: induce-deduce inference, metaphor inference, and analogy inference. Through analyzing we can conclude that so called"metaphor"of rhetoric corresponding"analogy inference"of logic.The third part is concerning on how to express analogy inference. Firstly we analyze three kinds of metaphor: simile, metaphor and metonymy concretely and completely using the formula of analogy inference, then simply analyze two kinds of common sorts: micro-metaphor and maxi-metaphor. It is easy to see every kind of metaphor expresses analogy inference.The forth part is about the expressing of logic formula of metaphor. This part portrays the logic formula of metaphor in the aspect of mathematic logic relating earlier fruit, and portrays simile, metaphor and metonymy completely which possesses the meaning of attempt.The creativity of this essay remains: 1, it makes sure that every kind of metaphor expresses analogy inference. 2, it uses traditional analogy inference formula to analyze metaphor which achieves creativity and development. 3, it portrays the logical formula of metaphor.