O papel das metáforas conceituais na construção da moralidade em discursos religiosos

Abstract

This article aims to understand how metaphors construct and reinforce conceptions of morality, shaping perceptions of sin, good and evil, and right and wrong. The research is grounded in the principles of Cognitive Linguistics, particularly in the work of Lakoff and Johnson (1980), to demonstrate that metaphors are not mere linguistic ornaments but fundamental mechanisms in the construction of moral thought. The study explores three central metaphorical domains—the path, light/darkness, and fruit—to interpret how these images construct a moral framework centered on discipline, discernment between good and evil, right and wrong, and the notion of sin, based on biblical verses. The analysis reveals that these metaphors function as cognitive structures that guide behavior, define conduct, and sustain a particular worldview rooted in specific spiritual and moral principles. It concludes that the conceptual metaphors analyzed operate as moral guides that transcend religious discourse, influencing ethical perception more broadly.