Recent years have seen a proliferation of studies that use archetype analysis to better understand and to foster transitions toward sustainability. This growing literature reveals a common methodological ground, as well as a variety of perspectives and practices. In this paper, we provide an historical overview of the roots of archetype analysis from ancient philosophy to recent sustainability science. We thereby derive core features of the archetype approach, which we frame by eight propositions. We then introduce the Special Feature, “Archetype Analysis in Sustainability Research,” which offers a consolidated understanding of the approach, a portfolio of methods, and quality criteria, as well as cutting-edge applications. By reflecting on the Special Feature’s empirical and methodological contributions, we hope that the showcased advances, exemplary applications, and conceptual clarifications will help to design future research that contributes to collaborative learning on archetypical patterns leading toward sustainability. The paper concludes with an outlook highlighting central directions for the next wave of archetype analyses.

中文翻译：

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原型分析的途径：可持续性研究的根源、成就和下一步

近年来，越来越多的研究使用原型分析来更好地理解和促进向可持续发展的转变。这些不断增长的文献揭示了一个共同的方法论基础，以及各种观点和实践。在本文中，我们提供了从古代哲学到最近的可持续性科学的原型分析根源的历史概述。我们由此推导出原型方法的核心特征，我们由八个命题构成。然后，我们介绍了特刊“可持续性研究中的原型分析”，它提供了对该方法、方法组合、质量标准以及前沿应用的综合理解。通过反思特刊的经验和方法论贡献，我们希望展示的进步，示范应用和概念澄清将有助于设计未来的研究，这些研究有助于对导致可持续性的原型模式进行协作学习。这篇论文的结论是一个展望，强调了下一波原型分析的中心方向。