Full Idea
Metaphor has traditionally been viewed as a matter of mere language rather than primarily as a means of structuring our conceptual system and the kinds of everday activities we perform.
Gist of Idea
Metaphor stuctures our conceptual and decisions systems, and is not mere language
Source
G Lakoff / M Johnson (Metaphors We Live By [1980], 23)
A Reaction
The best statement they offer of their main thesis, which I find plausible, despite their tendency to over-emphasise metaphor in thinking and concept formation. Better, perhaps, to say that making connections does the structuring.
Book Reference
Lakoff,G/Johnson,M: 'Metaphors We Live By' [Chicago 2003], p.145