Lakoff and Johnson's Conceptual Metaphor Theory

Lakoff and Johnson's Conceptual Metaphor Theory suggests that our understanding of abstract ideas is shaped by metaphors rooted in physical and everyday experiences. For example, we often think of time as a "commodity" that can be "spent" or "saved," which helps us grasp complex concepts through familiar actions. These metaphors influence how we think, communicate, and perceive the world, often unconsciously. Essentially, our minds use concrete experiences to organize and interpret more abstract concepts, making complex ideas more relatable and understandable through metaphorical mapping.