Philosophy

Philosophy

Metaphorology as an Approach Issued from Blumenberg's Criticism of the History of Concept

Document Type : Scientific-research

10.22059/jop.2026.410554.1006981
Abstract
In Hans Blumenberg's philosophy, metaphor plays a special role. This special role consists in adding logic to metaphor that in turn giving rise to the logic of metaphor. In this philosophy, the logic of metaphor emerges from the heart of the history of concepts (Begriffsgeschichte), traces the path of concept formation, and ultimately transforms into a fundamental mode of approaching reality. This fundamental mode of approach is the outcome of the logic of metaphor, which, through its discussion of the absolute metaphor, distinguishes itself from other philosophical approaches, such as phenomenology and hermeneutics. The question is: which critique of the history of concepts makes this logic of metaphor possible? Answering this question forms an important part of our effort to reveal this logic as an approach. The critique of the conception of the history of concepts regarding history makes this possible. Here a radical conception of history emerges, according to which history cannot be brought into the present because it is absolutely impassable. This conception of history results from the fact that, instead of following history as a longitudinal section in the history of concepts, we can also consider it as a cross-sectional cut. This cross-sectional cut is precisely looking from the perspective of metaphor and pursuing the path of concept formation. This cross-sectional cut enables us to discern, in every taking of a stance toward the world, which negation that stance has incorporated within itself. Blumenberg calls such work typology and, through it, measures the power of the logic of metaphor as an approach. Conceptual stance-taking is not the complete and final expression of reality, but rather the result of a fundamental certitude regarding the human being's stance toward the world. Ultimately, the logic of metaphor establishes itself as an approach, with regard to language, in a formulated and distinctive manner that attends to the excess of language over meaning. This understanding is rooted in the rhetorical knowledge's comprehension of language.
Keywords
Blumenberg
Absolute metaphor
Concept
Metaphor
Excess
Subjects
References
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Philosophy
Volume 24, Issue 1 - Serial Number 46
September 2026
Pages 27-50

  • Receive Date 05 February 2026
  • Revise Date 25 February 2026
  • Accept Date 10 May 2026