Redefining Sustainability: From Self-Determination to Environmental Autonomy
“Sustainability” is widely used by diverse organizations as the normative direction to coordinate common actions. But what should we sustain or maintain? Through philosophical reasoning and a literature review in environmental ethics, this paper explores this question and develop...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-07-01
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| Series: | Philosophies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/4/3/42 |
| _version_ | 1827297536133562368 |
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| author | Laÿna Droz |
| author_facet | Laÿna Droz |
| author_sort | Laÿna Droz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | “Sustainability” is widely used by diverse organizations as the normative direction to coordinate common actions. But what should we sustain or maintain? Through philosophical reasoning and a literature review in environmental ethics, this paper explores this question and develops a working definition of “sustainability” that intends to be compatible with the global diversity of worldviews. I argue that sustainability is the maintenance of the conditions of possibility of continuation of (1) self-determining flourishing human existences. It entails (2) maintaining the natural processes of the global environment autonomous to limit the possible harmful consequences of the conflicts of distribution and domination, and (3) cultivating meaningful, diverse, and adaptable nurturing milieus. This definition encompasses the three intricate ideas of self-determination, autonomy of the global environment, and diversity. Self-determination as well as the preservation of the autonomy of global environmental processes are crucial elements to prevent the unescapable domination of some powerful groups and worldviews over others. Diversity is also a key piece of the sustainability puzzle as it provides ranges of options that make self-determination possible. This paper proposes an inclusive and flexible working definition of sustainability that is mindful of the global diversity of worldviews. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T14:56:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b20513adc4c948fe9509233065b01456 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2409-9287 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T14:56:57Z |
| publishDate | 2019-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Philosophies |
| spelling | doaj.art-b20513adc4c948fe9509233065b014562024-04-02T18:06:55ZengMDPI AGPhilosophies2409-92872019-07-014342010.3390/philosophies4030042philosophies4030042Redefining Sustainability: From Self-Determination to Environmental AutonomyLaÿna Droz0Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan“Sustainability” is widely used by diverse organizations as the normative direction to coordinate common actions. But what should we sustain or maintain? Through philosophical reasoning and a literature review in environmental ethics, this paper explores this question and develops a working definition of “sustainability” that intends to be compatible with the global diversity of worldviews. I argue that sustainability is the maintenance of the conditions of possibility of continuation of (1) self-determining flourishing human existences. It entails (2) maintaining the natural processes of the global environment autonomous to limit the possible harmful consequences of the conflicts of distribution and domination, and (3) cultivating meaningful, diverse, and adaptable nurturing milieus. This definition encompasses the three intricate ideas of self-determination, autonomy of the global environment, and diversity. Self-determination as well as the preservation of the autonomy of global environmental processes are crucial elements to prevent the unescapable domination of some powerful groups and worldviews over others. Diversity is also a key piece of the sustainability puzzle as it provides ranges of options that make self-determination possible. This paper proposes an inclusive and flexible working definition of sustainability that is mindful of the global diversity of worldviews.https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/4/3/42sustainabilityself-determinationenvironmental autonomyenvironmental dominationmilieuglobal ethicssustainable developmentdiversitypluralismbiodiversity |
| spellingShingle | Laÿna Droz Redefining Sustainability: From Self-Determination to Environmental Autonomy Philosophies sustainability self-determination environmental autonomy environmental domination milieu global ethics sustainable development diversity pluralism biodiversity |
| title | Redefining Sustainability: From Self-Determination to Environmental Autonomy |
| title_full | Redefining Sustainability: From Self-Determination to Environmental Autonomy |
| title_fullStr | Redefining Sustainability: From Self-Determination to Environmental Autonomy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Redefining Sustainability: From Self-Determination to Environmental Autonomy |
| title_short | Redefining Sustainability: From Self-Determination to Environmental Autonomy |
| title_sort | redefining sustainability from self determination to environmental autonomy |
| topic | sustainability self-determination environmental autonomy environmental domination milieu global ethics sustainable development diversity pluralism biodiversity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/4/3/42 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT laynadroz redefiningsustainabilityfromselfdeterminationtoenvironmentalautonomy |