Root metaphors in cartography: Bridging critical and quantitative approaches

Abstract The evolution of contemporary cartography has long been attributed to two significant trajectories: the adoption of new technologies like computers, the Internet, and Artificial Intelligence into the map‐making process, and the critical examination of cartographic methods and practices. Existing literature has rarely explored the potential of bridging these specialised parallel developments because of their seemingly inconsistent epistemological basis. This article argues that Anne Buttimer's four root metaphors—mosaic, mechanism, organism, and arena—provide a valuable lens to scrutinise these dynamics. These root metaphors, deeply embedded in the understanding of human–environment interactions, present a multifaceted framework for exploring the nexus of map representation, socio‐spatial inequalities and spatial justice, all within the context of evolving technological shifts, marked by recent advances in spatial data science and geospatial artificial intelligence. We further examine the potential of these metaphors to foster a deeper appreciation of the interplay between established geographical and cartographic knowledge systems, to critically assess their limitations and to probe the synergy between cartography and emerging metaphorical constructs. This article encourages a flexible adoption of these metaphors to address the unique cartographic challenges of our time, advocating for a broader, more inclusive cartographic discourse.