Critical Sustainability Sciences: Intercultural and Emancipatory Perspectives

Critical Sustainability Sciences is a new field of scientific inquiry that integrates elements from relational ontologies, critical theory, political ecology, and intercultural philosophy to support emancipatory perspectives on sustainability and development. It builds on a deep engagement with relational ontologies to overcome the dualist ontology underlying mainstream notions of sustainability and development, which reinforce problematic anthropocentric divisions. The book concludes by describing three key topics for exploration in Critical Sustainability Sciences: societal reorganization in view of emancipatory, existential, and cognitive self-determination; living labor and commons; and the development of new comprehensive relational scientific paradigms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 308 pages
Publication date: 02 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book delves into the realm of Critical Sustainability Sciences, a groundbreaking scientific inquiry that explores the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with sustainability. Building upon a novel integration of elements from relational ontologies, critical theory, political ecology, and intercultural philosophy, it aims to provide emancipatory perspectives on sustainability and development.

The book begins by critically examining the limitations and debates surrounding mainstream sustainability science. Recognizing the need for a more holistic and inclusive approach, the field of Critical Sustainability Sciences has emerged as a response to the dualist ontology that underpins traditional notions of sustainability and development. Dualist ontologies perpetuate problematic divisions, such as the separation between humans and nature, subjects and objects, mind and matter, body and soul, among others. By engaging with relational ontologies, the book seeks to transcend these dichotomies and foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.

Through a rich tapestry of examples drawn from indigenous communities in Bolivia, India, and Ghana, as well as integrative movements in Chile, Brazil, and Europe, the book demonstrates how relational conceptions of life, rooted in ecosophy and cosmosophy, can serve as an intercultural philosophical foundation for Critical Sustainability Sciences. These examples highlight the importance of recognizing the inherent value of all living beings and the interconnectedness of human societies with the natural world.

In conclusion, the book offers three key topics for exploration within the realm of Critical Sustainability Sciences. These include societal reorganization in pursuit of emancipatory, existential, and cognitive self-determination; the exploration of living labor and commons as a means of promoting social and economic equity; and the development of new comprehensive relational scientific paradigms that can provide a more holistic and integrated understanding of sustainability.

This book is a valuable resource for students, scholars, and practitioners who are committed to promoting sustainable development and fostering intercultural understanding. Its innovative approach and interdisciplinary perspective offer a fresh perspective on the complex challenges and opportunities facing our world today. By embracing the principles of Critical Sustainability Sciences, we can work towards creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367489410