Analogie e metafore nelle scienze «dure»

Abstract

The text is an invitation to linguists to deal with the language of the “hard” sciences and thus contribute to the clarification of its contents and its correct use. In doing so, I have tried to argue that technical-scientific language is a part of natural language and as such should be the subject of studies by linguists. This belonging is also manifested in the use made within the technical-scientific communication of tools such as metaphor and analogy to expand the domain of knowledge, considered here as a collection of experimentally verifiable statements. To the extent that science wants to communicate contents and guide a praxis it must use rethorical tools providing plausible arguments in support of its indications regarding choices and actions aimed at the future. An unaware use of these tools can produce distortions that reflect on the misuse of science and of the arguments that derive legitimacy from its authority.