Beyond metaphors: rethinking metaphors in metaheuristics algorithm design

Although research in metaheuristics has become increasingly automated, considerable effort is still devoted to identifying new sources of inspiration for the manual design of so-called metaphor-based algorithms. In this work, we critically examine the use of metaphor-based design and its ongoing influence on the field of metaheuristics. We argue that manually designing algorithms based on metaphors belongs to the past, and that the field must move towards a more scientific and automated future.