An Approach to Justifying Normative Arguments in Sustainability Science, with Insights from the Philosophy of Science and Social Theory

IF 0.8 Q4 GREEN & SUSTAINABLE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
David O’Byrne
{"title":"An Approach to Justifying Normative Arguments in Sustainability Science, with Insights from the Philosophy of Science and Social Theory","authors":"David O’Byrne","doi":"10.12924/cis2022.10020019","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":": In this paper, I put forward an argument that sustainability science can make objectively grounded normative claims about what courses of action society should pursue in order to achieve sustainability. From a survey of the philosophy of science, social theory and sustainability science literature, I put forward an approach to justifying these normative arguments. This approach builds on the insight that social theories are value-laden and that dominant and pervasive social practices find their justification in some social theory. The approach: (i) focuses on the analysis of concrete cases; (ii) paying attention to the social practices that produce environmental problems and the theories that support those practices; (iii) examines alternative theories, and (iv) justifies a normative position by identifying the most comprehensive theoretical understanding of the particular case. Although the approach focuses on the analysis of particular cases it does not rely on value relativism. Furthermore, while the focus is on the role of science in producing normative arguments about society’s trajectory, it maintains space for the inclusion of the values of the public in environmental decision-making. However, while this approach aims to provide a rational basis to normative positions, it does not presume that this will lead to social consensus on these issues.","PeriodicalId":9944,"journal":{"name":"Challenges in Sustainability","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8000,"publicationDate":"2022-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Challenges in Sustainability","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.12924/cis2022.10020019","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"GREEN & SUSTAINABLE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0

Abstract

: In this paper, I put forward an argument that sustainability science can make objectively grounded normative claims about what courses of action society should pursue in order to achieve sustainability. From a survey of the philosophy of science, social theory and sustainability science literature, I put forward an approach to justifying these normative arguments. This approach builds on the insight that social theories are value-laden and that dominant and pervasive social practices find their justification in some social theory. The approach: (i) focuses on the analysis of concrete cases; (ii) paying attention to the social practices that produce environmental problems and the theories that support those practices; (iii) examines alternative theories, and (iv) justifies a normative position by identifying the most comprehensive theoretical understanding of the particular case. Although the approach focuses on the analysis of particular cases it does not rely on value relativism. Furthermore, while the focus is on the role of science in producing normative arguments about society’s trajectory, it maintains space for the inclusion of the values of the public in environmental decision-making. However, while this approach aims to provide a rational basis to normative positions, it does not presume that this will lead to social consensus on these issues.
从科学哲学和社会理论出发,论证可持续性科学中的规范性论点
:在这篇论文中,我提出了一个论点,即可持续性科学可以就社会应该采取什么行动来实现可持续性提出客观的规范性主张。通过对科学哲学、社会理论和可持续发展科学文献的调查,我提出了一种证明这些规范性论点的方法。这种方法建立在这样一种观点的基础上,即社会理论是充满价值的,主导和普遍的社会实践在一些社会理论中找到了它们的正当性。方法:一侧重于具体案例的分析;(ii)关注产生环境问题的社会实践以及支持这些实践的理论;(iii)研究替代理论,以及(iv)通过确定对特定案例最全面的理论理解来确定规范立场。尽管这种方法侧重于对特定案例的分析,但并不依赖于价值相对主义。此外,虽然重点是科学在产生关于社会轨迹的规范性论点方面的作用,但它为将公众的价值观纳入环境决策提供了空间。然而,尽管这种方法旨在为规范立场提供理性基础,但它并不认为这会导致社会对这些问题达成共识。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
求助全文
约1分钟内获得全文 求助全文
来源期刊
Challenges in Sustainability
Challenges in Sustainability GREEN & SUSTAINABLE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY-
CiteScore
3.10
自引率
0.00%
发文量
6
审稿时长
4 weeks
×
引用
GB/T 7714-2015
复制
MLA
复制
APA
复制
导出至
BibTeX EndNote RefMan NoteFirst NoteExpress
×
提示
您的信息不完整,为了账户安全,请先补充。
现在去补充
×
提示
您因"违规操作"
具体请查看互助需知
我知道了
×
提示
确定
请完成安全验证×
copy
已复制链接
快去分享给好友吧!
我知道了
右上角分享
点击右上角分享
0
联系我们:info@booksci.cn Book学术提供免费学术资源搜索服务,方便国内外学者检索中英文文献。致力于提供最便捷和优质的服务体验。 Copyright © 2023 布克学术 All rights reserved.
京ICP备2023020795号-1
ghs 京公网安备 11010802042870号
Book学术文献互助
Book学术文献互助群
群 号:481959085
Book学术官方微信