Myth as metaphor

Malan, Gert Jacobus

doi:10.4102/hts.v72i4.3260

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The metaphor of cancer as an “intelligent species” is an attempt to provide a different point of view on cancer adaptation through a process of simplification (by moving from complex cellular processes to macroscopic phenomena) and consilience (stimulating a “jumping together” of knowledge in different fields of science to converge on the same conclusion) [ 6 ]. In fact, metaphors (from the Greek metapherein , meaning “transference”) allow moving between different levels of knowledge, contributing to the development of meaning through boundless interpretive trajectories [ 7 ]. Moreover, metaphor has an instructive value, namely caused by the pleasure of the moment of understanding that follows surprise (Aristotles, Ars Rhetorica ).…”

Section: About Species and Intelligence: A Necessary Premisementioning

confidence: 99%

Is cancer an intelligent species?

Nicolazzo

Francescangeli

Magri

et al. 2023

Cancer Metastasis Rev

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Some relevant emerging properties of intelligent systems are “adaptation to a changing environment,” “reaction to unexpected situations,” “capacity of problem solving,” and “ability to communicate.” Single cells have remarkable abilities to adapt, make adequate context-dependent decision, take constructive actions, and communicate, thus theoretically meeting all the above-mentioned requirements. From a biological point of view, cancer can be viewed as an invasive species, composed of cells that move from primary to distant sites, being continuously exposed to changes in the environmental conditions. Blood represents the first hostile habitat that a cancer cell encounters once detached from the primary site, so that cancer cells must rapidly carry out multiple adaptation strategies to survive. The aim of this review was to deepen the adaptation mechanisms of cancer cells in the blood microenvironment, particularly referring to four adaptation strategies typical of animal species (phenotypic adaptation, metabolic adaptation, niche adaptation, and collective adaptation), which together define the broad concept of biological intelligence. We provided evidence that the required adaptations (either structural, metabolic, and related to metastatic niche formation) and “social” behavior are useful principles allowing putting into a coherent frame many features of circulating cancer cells. This interpretative frame is described by the comparison with analog behavioral traits typical of various animal models.

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Section: About Species and Intelligence: A Necessary Premisementioning

confidence: 99%

Is cancer an intelligent species?

Nicolazzo

Francescangeli

Magri

et al. 2023

Cancer Metastasis Rev

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“…Family life would of necessity have to replicate the structure of the faith community legitimated as egalitarian by the symbolic universe of God's patronage, expressed by the root metaphors such as children of God and kingdom of God (Malan 2016a). Jesus' message was therefore subverting the patriarchal family, which was the centre of both identity and material security and was also the primary social unit, which in that world was a microcosm of a hierarchical social system (Borg 1994:81-82).…”

Section: A New Kind Of Familymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore the root metaphor of dying and rising to a new life is another root metaphor which supports the symbolic universe of God's patronage. Again, it implies an absolute end to the prevalent morality of indebtedness, honour and power causing inequality, injustice and exploitation and the fresh dawn of a new morality of love as taking responsibility for one another, of caring and self-sacrifice (Malina & Rohrbaugh 2003:380-381) based on God the patron's gracious kindness brokered by Jesus of Nazareth (Malan 2016a).…”

Section: Dying and Risingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The symbolic universe of God's patronage brings an end to patronage and clientelism within the community of the faithful. It legitimates a morality of compassion, care, righteousness and devotion (loyalty) and a society which lives by those qualities based on God's patronage, which is of the same essence (Malan 2016a). God's patronage is dissimilar to the patronage of powerful men and therefore constitutes the community of faith.…”

Section: Conclusion: God's Patronage Constitutes a Community Of Compassionate Equalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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God’s patronage constitutes a community of compassionate equals

Malan

2020

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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The central themes of Jesus’ preaching, the kingdom and household of God, are root metaphors expressing the symbolic universe of God’s patronage subverting patronage and patriarchy structuring contemporary Mediterranean society, thus legitimising an anti-hierarchical community of faith. This dominant focus of Jesus’ message was discarded, as society’s prevalent patronage and patriarchy became the societal structure of the later faith communities. Today, patronage and patriarchy still forms the social structure for a large sector of Christian communities and many cultures, resulting in inequality, injustice, exploitation and suffering. This article proposes that the only remedy for the faithful is a return to Jesus’ essential message, by investigating the social dynamics suggested by these root metaphors using metaphor theory and social scientific methods. Patronage is studied within contemporary Roman and Mediterranean aristocratic patriarchal society, forming an a-typical broad-based needle-like power pyramid with multiple similarly structured power pyramids within, based on a morality of indebtedness, honour and power. Jesus accepted God as his father and declared the advent of God’s patronage as king (kingdom of God) and father of the faithful (children of God). Within the kingdom and household of God, there was no hierarchy, except for the primate of the first born son, whom Jesus symbolises as broker for God’s patronage to all his followers. Within the faith communities there should be no hierarchy or any form of clientage other than God’s patronage. Rather, the faithful are equal and should serve each other and their communities with compassion, responsibility and justice.Contribution: The contribution of this research is its focus on similarity and dissimilarity of these patronage metaphors and their application to subvert the power dynamics of patronage and patriarchy within the community of the faithful, in order to proffer God’s patronage of a society of caring, selfless equals today. This research falls within the scope of HTS Theological studies, as it is a multi-disciplinary study of key biblical metaphors investigated with accepted methodology resulting in valid conclusions which are ethically sound.

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The cult of glory: national myth and the idea of Global Maritime Fulcrum in Indonesia’s foreign policy, 2014–2019

Rosyidin

2021

South East Asia Research

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Myth as metaphor

Cited by 3 publications

References 19 publications

Is cancer an intelligent species?

Is cancer an intelligent species?

God’s patronage constitutes a community of compassionate equals

The cult of glory: national myth and the idea of Global Maritime Fulcrum in Indonesia’s foreign policy, 2014–2019

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