Metaphor and Commonsense Reasoning

Inferences based on metaphors appear to play a major role in human common sense reasoning. This paper identifies and analyzes general inference patterns based upon underlying metaphors, in particular the pervasive balance principle. Strategies for metapnor comprehension are explored, and analogical mapping structures are proposed as a means of representing metaphorical relationships between domains. In addition, a framework for a computational model embodying principles of metaphorical common sense reasoning is discussed.