METAPHORICAL THINKING AS A RESOURCE FOR IDEA ENGINEERING ENHANCEMENT

- Metaphor refers to transfer of meaning of an entity to another due to the similaries between the two entities. By applying metaphorical thinking, one can describe something with reference to something else as there are similar characteristics in a particular way between the two things. The expression of you’re my sun is derived as the person concerned is regarded as if s/he were the sun that gives light and power in one’s life as the sun does in reality. The new worldview derived by metaphorical thinking indicates creativity where a new idea is derived from limited and conventionally known sources by the engineers, technologists and artists. The newly created idea in turn potentially leads to innovation where the new idea is further developed to process, product or service with economically, socially or culturally added values. In this way, metaphorical thinking is a means of enhancing idea engineering.