The pedagogical character of the metaphor in Thomas Aquinas

Abstract

As early as in the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas saw the great pedagogical value of metaphor. This linguistic measure allowed for effective interdisciplinary research and teaching others. The metaphor was also useful in the educational process. But Aquinas also saw the limitations of metaphorical language and the dangers associated with it. Among them was the lack of linguistic precision necessary in some areas of knowledge and the danger of perceiving the world too materially. Generally, however, the metaphor plays a very important role, especially in the initial period of teaching and in navigating many areas of knowledge at the same time.