Murder by Metaphor,
Slaughter by Simile

Stanley M. Sapon, Ph.D.

"Metaphor -- A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another...One thing conceived as representing another." American Heritage Dictionary

"Metaphor-- A figure of speech in which a word for one idea or thing is used in place of another to suggest a likeness between them." Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Metaphor is aided and abetted by its accomplice, "simile:"

"Simile: A figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as." Merriam-Webster Dictionary

By definition, metaphor and simile represent ways of thinking and talking about a subject in terms and images that are neither precisely relevant nor suitable to that subject. And worst of all, metaphors that are inappropriate to begin with, inevitably spawn other, even more inappropriate notions that implant and assign reality to a whole world of poetic, but misleading and destructive illusion.

Many leaders of vegetarian and Vegan organizations, along with many writers, have become sensitized to the challenges experienced by carnivores who have declared their intention to live as Vegans. Attempts to help them succeed have produced a body of traditional beliefs and notions about ideal strategies...in essence, a "mythology of strategy." Unhappily, this mythology is usually inattentive to differences in motivation and personal history that are prognostic- and crucial- to making and maintaining major changes in behavior. There exists a widely accepted assumption that gradual, incremental, "evolutionary" behavioral change is the "standard strategy" for attaining a Vegan perspective on diet and lifestyle.

Efforts to promote or persuade are frequently awash in metaphors and similes that build on images of Veganism as some "ideal place" toward which we "progress." In the ensuing flood of metaphor and simile, we have had to wade through such phrases as: "The path to Veganism is neither straight nor smooth...,." "We are all traveling along a road...." "We are all at different points in our journey..." "Getting to be a Vegan is like climbing a ladder...you begin at the bottom, and go up, one rung at a time." "Before you can get people to become vegetarian you have get them into your tent. Once they are there, you can...."

One of the unfortunate side effects of reliance on metaphor is the visual imagery it generates, creating a host of other derived images. For example, a person who is "traveling down a road," and has paused -and stayed - at some point, can be described as being "parked" or "stalled" at that point. I recently received an E-mail posting that said:

"I have a been a vegetarian for 14 years, still trying-unsuccessfully- to become Vegan."

If the writer is persuaded to think of herself as being "parked," "stalled," "stuck" at some point in her "journey," can she call on some behavioral equivalent of the Automobile Club for getting her "on her way" again? Is her "vehicle" out of gas? Is her "motor not working well?" Has she "lost her road-map?" Has she "turned onto a dead-end street?" Has she "run into a roadblock?"

She most assuredly does not need advice on highway travel. What she needs is supportive, insightful and expert instruction in managing her behavior.

If the goal of Veganism is establishment of a culture in which compassionate and benevolent behavior is the norm, we need to view paths, roads, travel-problems, journeys, ladders, tents and similar images and concepts as obstacles that impede and frustrate our efforts toward the behavioral and spiritual transformation we seek.

We can be strengthened by a simple truth: Strategies and tactics for changing behavior are most honestly and effectively discussed in terms of behavior. Matters of conscience, ethics and values are best dealt with in terms of conscience, ethics and values.

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