meta4engine_template.txt

# Meta4Engine Template for Metaphor Generation, Structuring, and Expansion

## OVERVIEW
This template is designed to help you generate, structure, and evolve conceptual metaphor chains within the Meta4Engine system. It enables the mapping of metaphors across domains such as cognition, emotion, society, technology, and the body.

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## SECTION 1: GENERATING CORE METAPHORS

### STEP 1.1: Use This Formula to Create Seed Metaphors
**[Abstract Concept] is a [Concrete Image/Device]**
- Curiosity is a compass
- Memory is a weather pattern
- Belief is a prism

### STEP 1.2: Expand the Core Metaphor with Function or Domain
**[Concept], the [Device], [Function/Action] in [Context]**
- Curiosity, the compass, recalibrates to the magnetic pull of understanding.
- Belief is a prism refracting reality into personalized hues.

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## SECTION 2: BUILDING METAPHOR CHAINS

### STEP 2.1: Identify Compatible Concepts
Link metaphors that share overlapping semantic fields:
- Memory (weather pattern) + Belief (prism) → Shared field: perception + emotion
- Thought (weaving loom) + Doubt (unfinished bridge) → Shared field: cognition

### STEP 2.2: Fuse Metaphors into Meta4Chains
Use metaphor chaining to model complex systems or processes:
- Curiosity → Compass → Memory → Weather Pattern → Belief → Prism → Thought → Loom → Doubt → Bridge

### STEP 2.3: Add Dimensions (Time/Space)
**Add temporal or spatial markers:**
- Spatial: "located in a somber region", "within a social territory"
- Temporal: "progressing through phases", "marking a historical sequence"

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## SECTION 3: CLASSIFYING METAPHORS BY FUNCTION

| Domain        | Metaphorical Engine         | Function                    |
|---------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Emotion       | Echo in Glass                | Residual resonance          |
| Cognition     | Weaving Loom                 | Integration of meaning      |
| Technology    | Whispered Map (Algorithm)    | Subtle guidance             |
| Society       | Patchwork Sky (Community)    | Diversity, unity            |
| Physiology    | Archive of Storms (Body)     | Memory & trauma             |

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## SECTION 4: BUILDING A META4ONTOLOGY

### STEP 4.1: Categorize Metaphors
Cluster metaphor engines by:
- DOMAIN (emotion, thought, social, digital)
- SCALE (personal, interpersonal, societal, systemic)
- TEMPORALITY (past-based, present-state, future-oriented)

### STEP 4.2: Tree Structure
Use a root-branch system:
- ROOT: "Thought is a loom"
  - Branch: "Doubt is an unfinished bridge"
    - Sub-branch: "Imagination is scaffolding"

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## SECTION 5: SUGGESTED OUTPUT STRUCTURE

### Example: “Curiosity → Memory → Belief → Thought → Doubt”

```json
{
  "chain": [
    {"concept": "Curiosity", "metaphor": "Curiosity is a compass"},
    {"concept": "Memory", "metaphor": "Memory is a weather pattern"},
    {"concept": "Belief", "metaphor": "Belief is a prism"},
    {"concept": "Thought", "metaphor": "Thought is a weaving loom"},
    {"concept": "Doubt", "metaphor": "Doubt is an unfinished bridge"}
  ],
  "dimensions": {
    "temporal": "progression through phases",
    "spatial": "unfolding in conceptual territory"
  },
  "insights": [
    "Curiosity initiates movement.",
    "Memory introduces variability.",
    "Belief filters perception.",
    "Thought integrates the filtered signals.",
    "Doubt arises when connections break down."
  ]
}
```

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## SECTION 6: EXPANSION CYCLES

### Contract → Expand → Reframe
- Contract: "Belief is a prism"
- Expand: "The prism of belief refracts memory’s weather into personalized perception"
- Reframe: Combine with scaffolding: “Imagination captures refracted belief using mental scaffolding.”

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## SECTION 7: VISUALIZATION STRATEGY

Create a graph of metaphor chains using:
- Nodes = Concepts
- Edges = Metaphorical relationships
- Layers = Temporal/spatial tags

Use tools like:
- Obsidian (Knowledge Graph)
- Kumu.io
- Graphviz
- Python NetworkX (for code-based graphing)

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This template is modular and expandable. You can use it to build metaphor-driven knowledge systems, poetic cognition models, and creative ideation frameworks.