Environmental Science Theory

Acknowledgements. 1: Introduction. Environmental science in The Netherlands and the position of this study. Theory and the aims of science. Problem-oriented environmental science. Aim, structure and overview of this study. Annex 1.I: Research subjects 1986, 1990. Annex 1.II: Empirical, normative, applied: A general image. 2: A Discipline for Interdisciplinarity. Introduction. Exploring the terminology. Mono-, multi- and interdisciplinarity at the studies level. A discipline for interdisciplinarity: what it is and how to make one. Interdisciplinarity at the theory level. Annex 2.I: Principles of curriculum design. 3: Problem-in-Context: A Conceptual Framework for Environmental Science. Sources and preview of Problem-in-Context. Flashes in the noosphere. An applied studies example. Range of application of the Problem-in-Context framework. Types of research in the Problem-in-Context framework. Values and normative contextualization. Social causes as reflected EMIC order (or: people-environment systems regained). Formalizing the social causes. Formalizing the environmental problem. Problem-in-Context summarized. Designing research.4: Values, Functions, Sustainability. Introduction. Final variables, functions, quality: The basic relations. Final variables, functions, quality: Strengthening the system. Working in the structure: Parameter identification and aggregation. The world will speak through us when we let go of the metaphysical voice. Operationalizing for the intrinsic values of nature and people-nature relationships. Functions of the environment. Economic evaluation, I: Sustainability in the national accounts. Economic evalu tion, II:Sustainability and project appraisal. Annex 4.I: Sustainability as the foundational modelling variable. 5: Action-in-Context: Researching the Social Causes of Environmental Problems. Introduction. First principle: actors, viewed holistically. Guidance and field methods. The core: actions, actors, options, motivations. Going farther: the actors field. Goi the single-actor schema. Actor models. Round-up: policy options. 6: Participation in Environmental Management. Exploring the concept. Social depth of participation. Substantive depth of participation. The influence of the participants. Annex 6.I (with S.M. Zanen): Enhancing participation of local people - Some basic principles and an example from Burkina Faso. 7: Interpretative Directions in Environmental Science. Summary. Scientific storytelling. Exploring hermeneutic science. What is interpretable? Arranging the quantifying and qualifying worlds. The empirica status of 'deep' results. Why do it? Wilderness solitude and health of nature: Interpretation forractice. 8: Partnership with Nature: A Philosophy for Practice. Introduction. Four views of the relationship between Man and Nature. Views in Dutch mainstream culture. Partnership with nature in the words of others. Partnership, women, feminism. Partnership and faith. Partnership values and partnership ways. Postscript. References. Subject index.