Human thinking is a highly complex and multifaceted process that operates through various cognitive mechanisms. It is a sophisticated cognitive activity directed toward perceiving the surrounding reality, comprehending and processing the phenomena and concepts within it. In this process, human cognition employs several cognitive mechanisms to process spiritual, emotional, and experiential information. One of these mechanisms is metaphor. Metaphor is not merely a linguistic device but one of the fundamental cognitive mechanisms that enable the human mind to process, categorize, organize, and comprehend knowledge about the world. A metaphor is an integral part of human thinking and language, serving as an important means of perceiving and expressing reality. This article explores the historical evolution of scientific views on metaphor, tracing its development from classical rhetorical traditions to modern cognitive theories. The study aims to analyze the main stages in the formation of metaphor concepts and definitions, showing the transition from understanding metaphor as a ornamental stylistic device to interpreting it as a fundamental cognitive mechanism of human thought. The article analyzes the main stages in the development of views on metaphor, offers a comparative review of various theoretical approaches, and highlights the significance of metaphor not only in language but also in cognition and world perception. Particular attention is paid to the cognitive theory of metaphor developed by J. Lakoff and M. Johnson, according to which metaphor is considered a fundamental mechanism of human thinking.

Cognitive Metaphor, Linguistic Phenomenon, Human Thinking, Сognitive Mechanism

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