The Role of Cognitive Metaphors in FS: An Analysis of Sohail Inayatallh's Viewpoints

The aim of this research is to answer this key question: What are the effects of cognitive metaphors on futures studies? Achieving this objective needs deep understanding of cognitive situation of metaphors in shaping human’s perception. Since perceiving future is the most important source of futures studies, opening the situation of cognitive metaphors has a big and bold function in futures studies. Therefore, in an attempt to provide an introduction to the theory of cognitive metaphors and its role in FS with an emphasis on Sohail Inayatallah’s viewpoints, the present study aims to address the concept of cognitive metaphors in FS, approaches and paradigms of FS, influencing mechanism of cognitive metaphors on FS paradigms, and religious metaphors effecting FS. Finally, the position of future metaphors originated from divine religions and cultures is illustrated in creating religious FS discourses.