Metafore zdravlja i bolesti u medicinskoj praksi
Metaphors of Health and Illness in Medical Practice

Summary/Abstract: In this paper I will attempt to point out possible contributions of considering metaphors as principles of cognition to the discussion on conceptual grounds of crisis in medicine. Hence the first part will be a brief review of the basic features of cognitive theory of metaphor in the works of Georg Lakoff and Mark Johnson, which will serve as guidelines in examining metaphors of health and illness. The second part will deal with conventional metaphors associated with the notions of illness and health in everyday speech as well as in scientific and professional medical discourses. I will try to indicate the ways in which these metaphors influence notions of health and illness, thus directing actions in medical practice, which is the place where the crisis of medicine is most clearly manifested in the form of dehumanised character of relationship between medical practice participants. Unconventional, alternative metaphors and their potential for establishing different, more humane notions and principles which could guide medical practice will also be discussed. Finally, I will offer one such proposal which follows the basic ideas of cognitive theory of metaphor.

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