Il cerchio da aprire: verso un’epistemologia plurale della circolarità

The metaphor of the “closing circle” is now frequently used in environmental reformism and discussions about the circular economy in advanced economies. This article highlights the theoretical and practical challenges associated with this metaphor and argues for the necessity of developing an open modelling approach capable of encompassing diverse and heterogeneous understandings of the production/consumption nexus. By integrating science, political ecology, and experimental practices, it seeks to reopen “the circle” to foster understanding based on epistemological diversity rather than confirmatory (status-quo) modelling.