As skeptics struggle to discern the truth from bunk, we are often confronted with claims of a so-called middle category: "metaphorical truth". For the February Philosophy and Fries, we would like to further explore the concept of metaphorical truth and the role it may play in our lives and society. To facilitate discussion, there is a short list of questions that we may explore:

- What does it mean for something to be metaphorically true?

- Can metaphor be used in public discourse to indirectly convey a truth ? If so, by what criteria should one judge when this should happen and how effective that has been as a communication tool?

- How may metaphor be used in education to engage students while not inhibiting or limiting their understanding of the topic matter?

- What is the role of metaphor in our lives? Can metaphor be used to imbue a sense of personal meaning? If so, what are the limits of this meaning?

- Keeping in mind scientific analogies like "black holes" and "the greenhouse effect," what role do metaphor and "metaphorical truth" play in science?

To stimulate discussion and to offer a common grounding, we have compiled the following readings. These are not required but they are encouraged in order to facilitate discussion. We look forward to seeing you there!

http://en.wikipedia.o...

http://friendlyatheis...

http://scienceblogs.c...

http://www.morphostas...

Join us to discuss how - or whether - something should be understood as factually false but still meaningful.

The Park Plaza Restaurant is a Brooklyn Heights-located diner with lots of space, fairly priced food, and beer, wine and cocktails.

Admission to this dinner discussion is free but limited; please RSVP here to attend.

http://www.parkplazar...
220 Cadman Plaza West
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Directions:

A or C to High Street
2 or 3 to Clark Street
4, 5, M or R to Court Street, Borough Hall