Full Idea
Merely viewing a nonphysical thing as an entity or substance does not allow us to comprehend very much. But ontological metaphors may be further elaborated.
Gist of Idea
Seeing experience as objects doesn't (unlike metaphors) enhance understanding
Source
G Lakoff / M Johnson (Metaphors We Live By [1980], 06)
A Reaction
An important step to their view that metaphors are the mental tool which lead us to understanding. Mere objectification enables the manipulation of a concept, withouth a full grasp of it.
Book Reference
Lakoff,G/Johnson,M: 'Metaphors We Live By' [Chicago 2003], p.27