Lubomir wrote
"Any attempt to look for other relationships might
discredit
the use of use the metaphor and might provide reasons
for rejecting the
argument."
I agree. I believe that the use of metaphor in design
is just such an attempt to explore the relevance and
credibility of ideas (or to convey an understanding of
them).
A metaphor indicates a "frame of reference" where
understandings in one domain may afford understandings
potentially applicable in another. Ken's example
"design is like weaving" identifies useful
information,
structures,forms,behaviors,technologies,expectations,
associated cultures, etc. only some of which will be
appropriate in a given situation. It is only when
transferred understandings are recognized to be
appropriate in the new context that one has really
successfully applied a metaphor. The criteria for
metaphorical fit may vary from being extremely fuzzy
(as in the design of poetry perhaps) to being highly
technical and explicit (the action of a weaving
machine) it is the process of applying metaphor that
needs operational explication and support at any level
(even if the process is never overtly manifested and
thus may appear to be implicit.) I think your use of
the term heuristics needs definition when applied to
metaphorical thinking.
Regards
Chuck
Dr. Charles Burnette
234 South Third Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tel: +215 629 1387
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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