The Unseen Architectures of Economic Discourse

A Study of Metaphorical Structures and their Influence on Thought and Policy

Abstract

This paper explores the unseen cognitive and rhetorical architectures underlying economic discourse through the lens of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT). Drawing on the seminal works of Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and the rhetorical insights of Deirdre McCloskey, it argues that metaphors are not merely decorative linguistic devices but fundamental cognitive frameworks that shape how individuals and policymakers conceptualize, evaluate, and act upon economic phenomena. By identifying and analyzing dominant metaphorical systems—such as THE ECONOMY IS A MACHINE, THE ECONOMY IS A LIVING ORGANISM, MONEY IS LIQUID, and ECONOMIC CRISIS IS A DISEASE—the study demonstrates how these metaphors structure thought and discourse, influencing both academic theory and public policy. The paper further examines the historical transformation of Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” as a case study of how metaphors evolve into ideological instruments. Through a synthesis of theoretical and rhetorical analysis, this work reveals that metaphors in economics do not merely describe reality but actively construct it, shaping collective understanding and guiding policy orientations. The conclusion calls for greater critical awareness of metaphor’s dual power—to clarify and to mislead—and urges economists, policymakers, and the public to recognize the cognitive and ideological implications of the language through which economic thought is articulated.