Love, metaphor, and the unexpected journey into teaching
“It has been said that love does not want to destroy, but to preserve. Quietistic love has been praised, [yet]…mere passivity is surely no true love. The process of love is a creative drive, a force which, in spite of its tranquility of the present, lives a life of active realization.”
This beautiful sentiment opens Symbol and Metaphor in Human Experience by Martin Foss—a book that found its way into my life in the most surprising way. It’s a story I’ve shared in part, but there’s more to it than I’ve let on before.
How I Began Teaching Psychology of Metaphor
The moment that launched my journey into teaching a course on metaphor felt like pure serendipity. I was speaking to the president of a small university when he asked what class I’d like to teach. Without forethought, the word “metaphor” popped out of my mouth. At the time, I knew almost nothing about metaphor beyond its use as a literary device. He responded enthusiastically, “Great! We’ll call it Psychology of Metaphor,” and I walked out of the room wondering what I had just agreed to. The course was set to begin in three months, and I would be teaching it to 20 Ph.D. students in Psychology.
But the most extraordinary part of the story unfolded after that. As I prepared for the course, I often visited the San Francisco Theological Union library. Strangely, books I had never sought out seemed to be waiting for me on my favorite table, as if overlooked by the librarian responsible for re-shelving them. One of those books was Martin Foss’s Symbol and Metaphor in Human Experience. Published in 1949 and long out of print, the book was an enigma to me. I’d never heard of it, but the title intrigued me. A quick internet search revealed that Foss, though lesser-known, was considered by some to be a more profound philosopher than Martin Heidegger. His book, I learned, has been hailed as one of the most important yet forgotten works of the 20th century.
The Wisdom of Love and Metaphor
The opening quote above comes from Foss’s book, which is filled with deep reflections on the nature of love, creativity, and the human experience. Here’s another passage that has stayed with me:
“Love sees in failure the ground for its necessary work. Therefore it is distracted neither by painful nor by joyful expressions. Disappointments do not reach into the depth of love—on the contrary, they stimulate love to stronger efforts… The eyes of love are not fixed on the moment, not on the social position, not on the habitual character, not on the narrow status of profession, not on the achievement and success which are important for those only who are indifferent to higher values. Love sees the future which it anticipates, and in the scope of this, its wider vision, failure and success look very much alike.”
Foss’s reflections on love resonate deeply with the essence of metaphor. Like love, metaphor connects us to something larger, revealing truths that transcend the literal and the momentary. Both invite us to see beyond what’s immediately visible and step into a realm of meaning and connection that transforms how we experience the world.
The Mystery of Metaphor and Love
You might wonder: What does love have to do with metaphor? Foss’s book explores this profound relationship, weaving together threads of philosophy, creativity, and human experience. For Foss, metaphor is not just a literary device; it is a way of seeing, understanding, and connecting with the world around us. Like love, metaphor allows us to transcend boundaries and discover deeper truths.
I encourage you to read Symbol and Metaphor in Human Experience if you’re curious about these ideas. Foss’s writing is a treasure that deserves more recognition, and I’m proud to help keep his legacy alive.
A Journey of Discovery
This journey into teaching Psychology of Metaphor has been a lesson in love, creativity, and openness. It reminds me that when we step into the unknown, guided by curiosity and passion, we often find exactly what we need—even if it’s waiting for us on an unassuming library table.
Let me know if you’ve read Foss’s work or if his ideas resonate with you. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Foss, Martin (1949). Symbol and Metaphor in Human Experience. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.
