Title
Conceptualising a Circular Economy—an Enquiry into Circular Economy Conceptual Metaphors
Author
Fromberg, E.H.E. (TU Delft Design for Sustainability; The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Cambridge)
Bakker, C.A. (TU Delft Circular Product Design) 
Peck, David (TU Delft Environmental & Climate Design)
Date
2023
Abstract
Numerous academic scholars argue for a radical transformation of the economy towards a circular model, in response to pressures from planetary and social issues such as energy, climate change, inequality, and resource depletion. This study examines how the academic community perceives the concept of a circular economy in comparison to traditional economic discourse, through the lens of conceptual metaphors. Conceptual metaphors are systematic properties that reflect one’s understanding of abstract phenomena like a circular economy. Through a structured review of the literature, seven dominant conceptual metaphors were identified that shape the understanding of traditional economics. The study also conducted a textual analysis of the ten most frequently cited academic papers on the circular economy. The analysis revealed that certain dominant metaphors from traditional economics have been influential in shaping discourse on the circular economy. The most common metaphors were the machine metaphor, competitive metaphors, the journey metaphor, and ecological metaphors. Each conceptual metaphor has its own strengths and weaknesses, which may include poorly explained areas or missing dimensions. These two aspects are referred to as misconceptions and blind spots, respectively, and the paper reflects on the implications of these for the current academic discourse on the circular economy.
Subject
Circular economy
Conceptual metaphor theory
Rhetoric
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:2dc3a831-8f73-42ed-9b46-0a4e3e6cfea8
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00325-7
Embargo date
2024-06-06
ISSN
2730-597X
Source
Circular Economy and Sustainability
Bibliographical note
Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.
Part of collection
Institutional Repository
Document type
journal article
Rights
© 2023 E.H.E. Fromberg, C.A. Bakker, David Peck