Abstract
This chapter suggests a way of doing philosophy through a reflection on metaphors. It develops three themes in socio-political philosophy. The first theme investigates conceptual metaphors used in conceptualising the notion ‘politics’ in modern African political thought (particularly in Malawi). It is argued that this can help in understanding cognition and behaviour of political actors in Malawi. The second theme focuses on metaphorical conceptualisation of women and men in Chichewa language. It argues that although women are regarded as very important in building the society, there is a tendency of negatively conceptualising men in terms of women. The practice stigmatises women as socially inferior to men. This system of conceptualisation reveals how members of the society think and behave towards women in certain respects. The third theme focuses on metaphorical conceptualisation in the context of different disabilities (misapplied conceptualization). It argues that metaphorical/linguistic conceptualisation of disabilities in Chichewa language reflects and contributes significantly towards the misconception and marginalisation of people with disability.
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- 1.
The scope of Milan’s work is explained in the following passage: The aim of this study is to detect underlying conceptualisations of key issues and concepts of the early years of the democratic South Africa with special focus on the topics of racism, reconciliation, democracy, nation and the ANC. The paper also considers differences and similarities between conceptualizations, and possible clashes across parties and individual politicians (Malan 2008: 73).
- 2.
Malan (2008: 73) names these readers in the following: ‘This theory is applied here to political speeches given between 1994 and 2001 by five prominent South African politicians of three major parties, namely the African National Congress (ANC), the New National Party (NNP), and the Democratic Alliance (DA): Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Frederick de Klerk, Tony Leon and Marthinus van Schalkwyk.’
- 3.
The classical view refers to the Aristotelian conception of metaphors, which is in this context seen as a way of making beautiful expression, which is often used in rhetoric for attainment of different effects. They were often seen as figurative expressions, although philosophers such Davidson (1979) questioned whether they have any hidden meaning at all (see also Moran 2000).
- 4.
Other studies include Bratoz Silva’s discussion on metaphors of elections in Slovenia and United States of America (Bratoz 2012: 120–136) building on different political speeches.
- 5.
See also Lakoff (1993).
- 6.
See also Taverniers (2002: 6 ff).
- 7.
These two expressions are used when lovers have decided to take a break in their relationship.
- 8.
The word ‘gone’ is considered in the context above as ‘dead.’
- 9.
For a further survey on conceptualisation see also Grady, J., T. Oakley and S. Coulson. (1999).
- 10.
Another influential work in the study of models in science is Black’s (1962, 25–47), Metaphor. Models and Metaphors: studies in Language and philosophy.
- 11.
The idea of similarity is clearly explained Goodman (1970).
- 12.
The approach of reflecting on African thought departing from ordinary language draws from general insights in the ordinary language approach in analytic philosophy of language. This builds on the belief that philosophical issues are dealt with by considering the way language is used in a context. For a further survey, see the works done by Wittgenstein (1953), Austin (1962), Searle (1969, 1979), Grice (1957, 1989), Sperber and Wilson (2002, 2008), Kayange (2014).
- 13.
The MPA is a “multi-word expression from a given source domain into which a specific lexical item from a given target domain has been inserted” (Stefanowitsch 2006: 8). The MPA uses a linguistic corpus to establish metaphorical conceptualisations utilizing particular lexicons for their metaphorical and non-metaphorical use from the target domain.
- 14.
He was the first well-known public interpreter of President Kamuzu Banda more especially between 1958 and 1979. He served later as a minister of transport and communications. John Tembo succeeded him.
- 15.
See Chichewa-Chinyanja English Dictionary (Paas 2004), Chichewa Dictionary (Chancellor College, Centre for Language Studies in Malawi 2015), Wisdom of the People: Chinyanja Proverbs, Chakanza 2000, and other literary works as is indicated in the references.
- 16.
Evidence of this may be found in the speeches and letters noted above but also in ordinary use of language in Malawi.
- 17.
Banda, Preceedings of Parliament, 8 September 1964.
- 18.
The term Dzaleka comes from two Chichewa terms ‘ndi’ in this context it represents I, and ‘leka’ is a verb to stop. This is utilized to show that it is a place where a person learns because of various hardships and confesses that ‘I will stop,’ meaning he won’t do it again.
- 19.
There are other external and internal reasons that led to the downfall of Kamuzu Banda’s regime but focus of this work is on those tactics that reveal politics of making others stumble and disappear on the political scene.
- 20.
In a letter of 7th August 1997 to Dr. Brody he indicated that he was acquitted from the case as he writes: You will recall that the Director of Public Prosecution, on behalf of the State appealed against the High Court ruling which acquitted me and all those who were charged with me for conspiracy to murder in the Mwanza murders case. The Supreme Court of Appeal hear the appeal from 30th June to July 31st and I am pleased to inform you that the Supreme Court of Malawi dismissed all the four grounds of appeal. The appeal therefore failed in its entirety.
- 21.
First term was from 2004 to 2009, and the second term ended in 2012 with Bingu wa Mutharika’s death.
- 22.
Apart from tripping others through deception there were still incidents where physical violence was allegedly practiced although in an insignificant level (on average).
- 23.
In 2012 after the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika, the Vice President Joyce Banda took over from him. She continued applying the tripping method in her politics. He put in jail the current President, Peter wa Mutharika with the intention of tripping him up.
- 24.
DPP stands for Democratic People’s Party.
- 25.
Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation TV was mainly utilized for attacking President Joyce Banda when she was Vice President of the DPP party before becoming President in 2012.
- 26.
Matrilineal is a social organised where power is founded on women. Mother is regarded as the most important power in decision making and other areas. On the contrary a patrilineal system of the society is where men are given more authority.
- 27.
In this study I will use the Cognitive Approach to metaphors as discussed in Chap. 5 of this work.
- 28.
Munthu womvera zili zonse - Easily deceive
- 29.
There are various debates on rationality mainly in the philosophical field that deals with feminism. See for instances works of Simone de Beauvoir.
- 30.
The expression this is my baby (babe) applied to a woman may be argued as partly coming from the misconception of women as similar to young children in their behaviour.
- 31.
I have discussed analogy in details earlier, I will therefore limit on demonstrating what is happening when using analogical reasoning in this context.
- 32.
This is different from the original setting when female figures such as Mangadzi were leaders in the Chewa society. There was a well-know female dynasty whereby different female leaders succeeded Mangadzi.
- 33.
Aesthetic decisions are indicated here are mainly those to do with beauty or good taste.
- 34.
Namalenga is used for God as understood to being the creator. It literarily means ‘the one who creates.’
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Kayange, G.M. (2018). Doing African Philosophy with Metaphors. In: Meaning and Truth in African Philosophy. Philosophical Studies Series, vol 135. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01962-4_4
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