Full Idea
By allowing us to project beyond our basic-level experience, conceptual metaphor makes possible science, philosophy, and all other forms of abstract reasoning.
Gist of Idea
Conceptual metaphors project our basic experience, and thus create abstract reasoning
Source
G Lakoff / M Johnson (Philosophy in the Flesh [1999], 25 'Conception')
A Reaction
The authors share my view that we, in some way, 'project' our bodily relationship to nature, thus engendering a world of abstraction. They rely wholly on metaphorical thinking, where I emphasise a wider range of mental 'faculties' to do the job.
Book Reference
Lakoff,G/Johnson,M: 'Philosophy in the Flesh' [Basic Books 1999], p.556