Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1997

The Emergence of a Root Metaphor in Modern Physics: Max Planck's ‘Quantum’ Metaphor

Richard D. Johnson-Sheehan

Abstract

The two purposes of this article are: 1) to use metaphorical analysis to determine whether or not Max Planck invented the quantum postulate and 2) to demonstrate how metaphorical analysis can be used to analyze the rhetoric of revolutionary texts in science. Metaphors often serve as the basis of invention for scientific theories. When we identify these metaphors in Planck's original 1900 quantum paper, it is clear that Planck did consider the quantum postulate to be important. However, we also see that he does not consider the quantum postulate to be revolutionary.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1997-04-01
DOI
10.2190/lxwh-uxtl-2bbt-prm5
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
rhetorical criticism
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

  1. Mara (2018)
    Framework negotiation and UX design
    Communication Design Quarterly
  2. Moran et al. (2012)
    A Bibliography of Works Published in the History of Professional Communication …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Yu (2011)
    Visualizing Banking and Financial Products: A Comparative Study of Chinese and …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Malone (2007)
    Historical Studies of Technical Communication in the United States and England:…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Giles (2001)
    The Missing Metaphor
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (17) · 1 in this index

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Show all 17 →
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     ↗
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    Scientific Communication and Metaphors: An Analysis of Einstein's 1905 Special …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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CrossRef global citation count: 10 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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