Simple Metaphors Shape Complex Scientific Ideas

A Philosophical Razor for Naming Conventions

I was nudged by Abram Jackson that there should be a term for the impact small changes in naming conventions have within science and general awareness. Abram’s prompt was based on my article about Chaos Theory and how the Butterfly Effect was almost called the Seagull Effect.

This inspired me to formalize the idea of a principle for choosing effective metaphors in scientific terminology. I propose the adoption of a new conceptual tool:

I’ve always been attached to philosophical razors for a naming convention for such a construct, or a theoretical entity, or a metaphor, or a systematic name in science. A “razor is a principle or rule of thumb that allows one to eliminate (shave off) unlikely explanations for a phenomenon”. For example: Hanlon's razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. Or, Hitchens' razor: That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence. Grice's razor: a principle of parsimony, implicatures are to be preferred over semantic context for linguistic explanations. Philosophical Razor’s help to succinctly describe!

I formally suggest the adoption of a new razor:

Metaphor’s Razor

Definition: Metaphor’s Razor is a principle that advocates using the simplest, most vivid metaphor to explain a complex concept, cutting away the unnecessary intricacies for better comprehension.

This emphasizes the importance of balancing simplicity with accuracy. The metaphor should not sacrifice the essence of the idea for the sake of catchiness.

Metaphor’s razor suggests lexical small changes, whimsical, and yet powerful as many of them are. The definition also acknowledge that the goal is not always simplification. A good metaphor can serve multiple purposes, such as increasing understanding, memorability, and engagement. Whereas, Grice’s Razor is about linguistic economy. Metaphor’s Razor focuses on cognitive accessibility.

Metaphor's Razor suggests lexical changes that are often small and whimsical, yet powerful. A shift in terminology from a technical, descriptive term to something more accessible, catchy, or metaphorical can significantly impact the reach and influence of an idea. A memorable term has the power to bring complex scientific concepts into public discourse, reshaping not only how people perceive the idea but also how much attention and excitement it receives.

The best metaphor not only simplifies but also accurately conveys the key features of the concept. Let’s take a look at some of the more notable lexical pivots, that provide us with metaphorical razors often resulting in a more compelling or evocative final version that shaped the way the idea was understood or popularized.

1) Survival of the Fittest (original: "Natural Selection")

Charles Darwin originally used the term "natural selection" to describe his theory of evolution by differential survival. Herbert Spencer coined "survival of the fittest" after reading Darwin's work, and it caught on because it was more vivid and easily grasped by the public. Although it introduced some misinterpretations, this pivot made the concept resonate broadly, a clear instance of Metaphor's Razor in action.

2) The Big Bang (original: a dismissive joke)

Physicist Fred Hoyle coined the term "Big Bang" in 1949, intending it as a dismissive joke against a competing theory. Ironically, the phrase caught on and became the accepted term for the origin of the universe. The evocative, visual nature of "Big Bang" made it compelling enough to enter mainstream language, a classic example of a conceptual pivot that enabled widespread public engagement.

3) Black Hole (original: Frozen Star or Gravitationally Completely Collapsed Object)

Before physicist John Archibald Wheeler coined "black hole" in 1967, these objects were referred to by cumbersome names like "frozen star." The new term, made widely popular by Stephen Hawking, was succinct, visual, and striking, providing a memorable pivot that brought the concept into public imagination with force.

4) Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (original: "Thomas Theorem" concept)

The idea of the "self-fulfilling prophecy" was first described by sociologist W. I. Thomas in what came to be known as the "Thomas Theorem": "If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences." Later, Robert K. Merton used the term "self-fulfilling prophecy," which became more popularly accepted because it was a much more accessible and evocative term for describing the psychological and social feedback loop in which beliefs create their own reality. This renaming served as a conceptual pivot, making the idea more relatable and easier to communicate.

5) Cognitive Dissonance (original: "Cognitive Conflict")

Leon Festinger first developed the concept of psychological discomfort resulting from conflicting beliefs or behaviors, initially described in terms like "cognitive conflict." The term "cognitive dissonance" emerged later and became standard because it more evocatively captured the sense of tension or dissonance experienced by an individual. This vivid metaphor made the complex psychological concept more memorable and accessible, a clear application of Metaphor's Razor.

6) Higgs Boson (original: "The God Particle")

The Higgs boson particle was rebranded as "The God Particle" largely due to the title of a popular science book by physicist Leon Lederman. Though scientists generally disliked this name for oversimplifying the nature of the Higgs boson, it resonated with the public and captured their imagination, leading to increased public interest. This is a striking example of Metaphor's Razor in action, making an abstract concept captivating to a lay audience.

7) Schrödinger's Cat (original: "Quantum Superposition Thought Experiment")

Erwin Schrödinger originally described the idea behind "Schrödinger's Cat" as a hypothetical experiment to illustrate quantum superposition. The dense, technical explanation involving quantum mechanics was transformed into the vivid imagery of a cat that could be both alive and dead simultaneously. This metaphorical pivot, facilitated by Metaphor's Razor, helped make an abstract concept into an iconic symbol of quantum theory.

8) Dark Matter (original: "Missing Mass")

Initially, scientists referred to the mystery behind the unseen gravitational forces in galaxies as the "missing mass problem." When Fritz Zwicky began describing it as "dark matter," the term evoked mystery and intrigue, transforming a dry scientific anomaly into one of the most tantalizing mysteries in astrophysics. This conceptual pivot made the phenomenon both memorable and captivating to scientists and the public alike.

9) The Greenhouse Effect (original: "Atmospheric Warming")

The concept of gases trapping heat in Earth's atmosphere was initially described as "atmospheric warming." The metaphor "greenhouse effect" provided a powerful and relatable image of how the atmosphere works similarly to the glass of a greenhouse, helping the general public understand the mechanism intuitively. This effective use of Metaphor's Razor allowed for broader comprehension and awareness of the issue.

10) The Cloud (original: "Remote Server Hosting")

Before "the cloud" became a ubiquitous term, it was referred to as "remote server hosting" or "distributed computing." These technical descriptions were accurate but lacked appeal. The term "cloud" provided a simple, metaphorical description that resonated with users, helping them intuitively grasp the concept of data stored and accessible from anywhere, thus fostering widespread adoption.

11) Neutron Star (original: "Supernova Remnant")

When scientists first discovered remnants left behind after a supernova explosion, they used the term "supernova remnant." Later, they began to use "neutron star," which more vividly and accurately described the star composed almost entirely of neutrons. This pivot not only made the term more descriptive but also helped capture the imagination of scientists and the public.

12) Blockchain (original: "Distributed Ledger Technology")

Before "blockchain" became the dominant term, it was referred to as "distributed ledger technology" (DLT). The rebranding to "blockchain" helped make the technology more memorable and straightforward, evoking the idea of sequential, linked records. This metaphorical pivot was crucial in making a complex technology more accessible and understandable.

13) Chaos Theory (original: "Nonlinear Dynamics")

Before becoming known as "chaos theory," the study of complex systems with highly sensitive dependence on initial conditions was referred to by the more technical term "nonlinear dynamics." The term "chaos theory" provided a dramatic, evocative name that emphasized unpredictability and disorder, making the field more intriguing to both the public and researchers, a textbook example of Metaphor's Razor.

14) The Singularity (original: "Technological Point of No Return")

The term "singularity" was first used by John Von Neumann and popularized by mathematician Vernor Vinge and later by scientist and futurist Ray Kurzweil. Before this, the idea was referred to as "technological point of no return" or "runaway AI scenario." The evocative term "singularity" added an aura of inevitability and mystery, contributing to the concept's resonance in science fiction and popular tech culture. This change exemplified a conceptual pivot that made a complex future scenario far more intriguing.

15) The Selfish Gene (original: "Replicator Theory")

Richard Dawkins initially conceived the idea behind "The Selfish Gene" as "replicator theory." By rebranding it as "The Selfish Gene," Dawkins emphasized the way genes appear to behave as selfish entities striving for survival. This provocative name captured the public's imagination far more effectively than the original, making a sophisticated theory accessible and engaging.

16) Quantum Entanglement (original: "Spooky Action at a Distance")

Albert Einstein referred to quantum entanglement as "spooky action at a distance" to express his skepticism regarding its non-local nature. While evocative, the term "spooky action" reflected Einstein's discomfort with quantum theory. The term "quantum entanglement" eventually became standard, providing a more precise, less skeptical term that gained credibility in the scientific community, demonstrating how a metaphorical shift could alter the tone and reception of a concept.

17) Brain Plasticity (original: "Cerebral Flexibility" or "Neural Modifiability")

The concept that the brain can change and adapt over time was originally described using terms like "neural modifiability" or "cerebral flexibility." The term "brain plasticity" (or "neuroplasticity") became popular because it succinctly captured the brain's ability to "mold" or "reshape" itself, making the idea easier for both scientists and the public to grasp and remember.

18) Virtual Reality (original: "Artificial Environment")

Before becoming known as "virtual reality," immersive environments were often referred to as "artificial environments." The phrase "virtual reality" was much more compelling and captured the imagination by promising an alternate form of reality, which helped the field gain cultural traction and widespread fascination.

Cut through the jargon

These examples illustrate how applying Metaphor's Razor,replacing technical jargon with vivid, metaphorical language, helps make complex scientific ideas accessible to non-specialists. A memorable metaphor serves as a "conceptual pivot," dramatically shifting how an idea is understood and communicated.

The Power of a Metaphor

These examples show that metaphorical razors, whether intentional or accidental, often have significant impacts on how scientific ideas are received, understood, and remembered. Much like Lorenz's choice of "butterfly" over "seagull", these changes demonstrate the power of a good metaphor or evocative term in shaping entire branches of scientific inquiry and public understanding.

Metaphor's Razor advocates for cutting through the complexities of technical language by using simple, vivid metaphors. This principle is distinct from other philosophical razors in its focus on accessibility and engagement. The power of a name, or a metaphor, is transformative, it can simplify complexity, evoke emotions, and draw a wider audience into the intricate world of science. Whether it's the poetic notion of "The Big Bang" or the evocative imagery of "black hole," applying Metaphor's Razor ensures that scientific ideas resonate far beyond their original domains, propelling them into the collective imagination.

Stay curious

dr Colin W.P. Lewis