| | Critics of religion often point to the sheep as a metaphor for blind followers of a self-appointed "shepherd" in the form of a religious leader. The Bible makes numerous references to this metaphor as desirable. Its opponents paint it in the most unflattering way, namely that sheep are raised for fleecing and slaughtering.
Metaphors can be both powerful and misleading. Their power comes in conveying concretely a set of abstract ideas. Their risk comes in carrying "baggage" that conveys nonessential ideas where their originators never intended.
Other than referring to Man himself as the "rational animal," is there a metaphor for Objectivists to use in conveying our ideals?
Beavers come to mind. They are quite industrious in their own way and can work both independently and in teams. So do eagles, though they are birds of prey and this fact carries unwanted "predator" baggage.
I am looking for a contrast object against sheep and find it a struggle.
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