That's the title of this interview in Scientific American with a social pyschologist, Chen-Bo Zhong, who explains why we use certain metaphors to describe certain feelings--because, he says, we are describing the way we actually feel. (Or is it the other way around?) Hence the subhead of the piece, "Why Loneliness Feels Cold and Sins Feel Dirty." In fact, cleanliness IS next to godliness. (Or is it the other way around?)Anyway, why post this? Perhaps it could have some relevance to a linguistic analysis of tonight's debate, or to the words we use in religious discourse. Or maybe it's just interesting--even if it makes my brain hurt. That won't, of course, stop me from having my students read it for the next class...Via ALDaily

David Gibson is the director of Fordham’s Center on Religion & Culture.

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