Indeterministic metaphors: The popular science books of Fritjof Capra and Gary Zukav

Abstract

In the popular accounts of the new physics (i.e. relativity and quantum mechanics) by Fritjof Capra and Gary Zukav, the new physics is represented as fatally undermining the universal determinism associated with Newton and Laplace. This paper explores how different metaphors - anthropomorphic metaphors, metaphors of exploration and mapping, and metaphors of shadows - are used strategically by these writers to advance this characterisation of the new physics as indeterministic.

Definitions of Scientific Terminology in Popular Science Books: An Examination of Definitional Chains

“…Figurative definitions usually suffer the most criticism when it comes to applying traditional frameworks to definitions in popular science. Examinations of metaphors and analogies in popular science abound (Caracciolo, 2013; Pilkington, 2018; Smith, 2013; Turney, 2004a, 2004b). They focus, for the most part, on the effectiveness of figurative language to communicate scientific concepts and very rarely on the structure of such text segments.…”