Metaphors in medicine

Have, Henk ten; Gordijn, Bert

doi:10.1007/s11019-022-10117-9

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…The use of metaphors is rich in the clinic as well, where "agricultural, militaristic, mechanical and sports metaphors are employed to explain the disease and treatment plan" (ten Have and Gordjin 2022, p. 577) [74]. Public health discourse is loaded with metaphors, the "war" on specific diseases being most eminent.…”

Section: Signatures and Lyric Thoughtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationality and Metaphor—Doctrine of Signatures, Ecosemiosis, and Interspecies Communication

Williams,

Bédard

2024

Philosophies

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The Doctrine of Signatures (DoS) figures prominently in both contemporary and historic herbal traditions across a diversity of cultures. DoS—conceptualized beyond its conventional interpretation as “like cures like”, which relies solely on plant morphology—can be viewed as a type of ecosemiotic communication system. This nuanced form of interspecies communication relies on the presence of “signatures”, or signs, corresponding to the therapeutic quality of different plants based on their morphology but also their aroma, taste, texture, and even their context in the landscape. Despite its widespread contemporary dismissal by mainstream science as overly simplistic, childlike, primitive, and generally of limited value, we suggest that the recognition of “signatures” in plants may be considered as a form of communication between humans and plants. Drawing upon Indigenous thought, ecosemiotic theory, and lyric philosophy, we posit that understanding “signatures” metaphorically, as a reflection of the “shape of the world”, offers insights into the interconnectedness of all life forms—a profound affirmation of relational coherence between humans and the more-than-human. We advocate for another perspective on DoS: one which holds potential towards reorienting and restoring our relationships in the vibrant world of the Anthropocene.

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Section: Signatures and Lyric Thoughtmentioning

confidence: 99%