The use of metaphors in communicating risk and conflicting goals

The paper discusses the role of metaphors in the process of reframing and redefining risks. The objective is to discuss the usefulness of metaphors in handling risk issues among stakeholders with conflicting goals. The use of metaphors is traced back to Aristotle's theory of rhetoric. Normally, the use of metaphors and "metaphoric tricks" in science has been banned. The empirical basis is a trailing-research based evaluation project where the "Janus-metaphor" was introduced in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD). The metaphor had a catalysing effect by revealing tacit opinions and controversies between different stakeholders, therefore playing an important role in redesigning the organisation and in redefining risks and hazards the organisation is obliged to deal with. Metaphors can be useful tools in the search for problem redefinition and reflections upon status and options. "Metaphoric tricks" can be powerful tools in the initial learning process. But the inbuilt ambiguity present in metaphors can create confusion, conflicts or superstitious unity in the implementation phases.