Metaphorical Reasoning and Real Prototypes Empirical Studies of Metaphors and Prototypes of Forest

Whereas rational and formal reasoning should be devoid of contradictions, people must often handle conflicting perspectives in everyday contexts. The present article is based on empirical studies of conflicting prototypes of forest in Sweden and Canada. Conflicting prototypes of forest correspond to different values and actions in real environments. The empirical data demonstrate how metaphorical reasoning arise out of the need to address such conflicting prototypes. Prototypes of forest provide alternative contexts of reasoning and they are essential to explain the metaphorical reasoning involved in contemporary discourse on forest policy and management in Sweden and Canada.