Cognitive and Learning Potential of the Scientific Metaphor

The research is devoted to the study of the role of metaphor in scientific cognition. The tradition of identifying metaphor as a figure of speech can be traced back to ancient times. The role of metaphor as a tool of cognition was recognized only in the 20th century. The purpose of the study is to investigate scientific metaphor and its cognitive potential within the framework of the cognitive approach. The theoretical and methodological basis for the study of the potential of metaphor in the field of scientific cognition are the modern theories of conceptualization and categorization, which are developed in cognitive linguistics. Thus, metaphor has been considered at the linguistic and mental levels. It is shown that the process of cognition in language is conditioned by the interaction of three ontological systems (the system of the world, the system of language, the system of human consciousness). Scientific metaphor is formed in specific cultural and historical conditions and is a part of the conceptual picture of the world, linguistic picture of the world, and scientific model of the world. At the same time, generally well-known objects are taken for metaphorical transfer and formation of scientific metaphors. In scientific cognition, metaphor allows abstract entities to be represented in the form of concrete images. Most importantly, the properties of simpler objects are extrapolated to scientific ideas and make further development of theory possible. The study highlights the distinctive features of metaphor as a tool of cognition and learning.