Human Settlements Review - Parliamentary Monitoring Group

Human Settlements Review, Volume 1, Number 1, 2010
within the scope of this study as will be
explained. There is a common understanding
among people that metaphors are just a poetic
device and metaphors are left as just that.
This is not correct as metaphors have a much
greater role than just operating within poetical
contexts. It has been found that metaphors are
commonly used in language as a descriptive
device. They are used to describe concepts
that dominate our thoughts and so form an
integral part of our actions and perceptions too
(Lakoff & Johnson, 1980).
One’s conceptual thoughts will determine
how one will think about a concept, one’s
perceptions on a given concept and the
actions one will take. This all takes place on
a subconscious level. Language usage is one
method of analysing how one thinks and acts,
language also identifies which metaphors are
used in one’s conceptual thinking and thus
helps identify which metaphors influence our
perceptions, thoughts and actions (Lakoff &
Johnson, 1980).
One’s own conceptual system is not
necessarily a result of one’s own thoughts,
but rather as a result of outside influences that
have influenced one’s thoughts. An example of
an outside influence is the common worldview
that is held by society; which is often on a
subconscious level and it is not noticeable
easily.
This study examines the metaphors
surrounding nature as a machine and nature
as a mother or as a system, and is followed
with the metaphorical meanings and usages.
Mother Nature is a common metaphor due to
women’s association with giving birth to life
and nurturing life. The other metaphors follow
in the proceeding chapters.
3. The Degradation of the Earth
Mankind over the past few centuries has
destroyed the earth through development.
This has been achieved through various
activities such as agriculture, industries,
transportation vehicles and construction. This
destruction has occurred at a subliminal level
and the destruction is of such magnitude that
the earth’s regulatory system could fail.
With the help of the great forests, oceans
and weather patterns, the earth is able to
regulate itself and this is what provides
pleasant conditions to live in. This complex
regulatory system is known as Gaia. With
mankind’s burning of fossil fuels, through
industry and transportation, have helped
to accelerate global warming – which is a
natural phenomenon. This acceleration could
lead up to a threshold point where after Gaia
could cease to work along with its associated
weather patterns (Martin, 2006).
Coupled with this, we have depleted natural
resources as if there was an unlimited supply.
Mankind has over-fished, over-hunted and
mined excessively to the point of depletion.
This cannot continue if mankind wants to live
on this planet into the future (Martin, 2006).
4. Sustainability
The concept of sustainability came about due
to the above mentioned degradation to the
Earth. The mainstream concept of sustainable
development originated in 1972 at the
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