metaphor circuit

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Editorial synthesis · provisional

Definition

A metaphor circuit is a proposed learned mapping between frame networks through which one domain recruits another’s inferential structure. RB2 describes repeated co-activation strengthening cross-domain links, as in affection and warmth. The proposal preserves asymmetric frame-to-frame mapping and neural reuse, without suggesting the brain evolved a dedicated metaphor organ or that every described connection has been uniquely traced in a living brain.

Explanation

The direct circuit account links repeatedly co-active domains so that activation can spread between them. Its examples concern conceptual mappings rather than a literal string stored with a metaphor label. The native reference anchors the proposed account without this assessment independently identifying or measuring the relevant connections.

The preceding qualification explicitly rejects an evolved special-purpose metaphor circuit. Here circuit describes recruited and learned organization within existing architectures. The entry consequently distinguishes a functional circuit type in the theory from a new anatomical organ and from a complete mechanistic explanation of how every metaphor is acquired.

RB2 also qualifies imaging effects as nonuniform across metaphor kinds. RB3 distinguishes separate directional mappings from a single bidirectional metaphor. These limits keep neural recruitment, conceptual direction and empirical support apart, avoiding the inference that any activation overlap establishes literal identity of source and target or validates every part of the research program.

Scope and attribution

Retain asymmetric mapping, neural reuse and the explicit bridging-model qualification.

RB2 — The Real Book, Volume II: Becoming Is Being

Learned cross-domain mapping uses existing architectures and retains model status and empirical limits.

Occurrence locators: 99, 101, 102, 104.

Background used in the editorial explanation

Neural mapping circuits are distinguished from conceptual directionality alone.