Estimant qu'il est nécessaire de fonder la valeur intrinsèque de la nature et constatant l'insuffisance des pistes tracées par Baird Callicott pour ajuster son axiologie subjective moderne à un cadre de pensée postmoderne, j'entreprends de repenser ses notions de sujet et de valeur intrinsèque afin d'y intégrer non seulement l'invalidation écologique-quantique d'une séparation tranchée entre sujet et objet, mais également des éléments prégnants de la pensée postmoderne :la contextualisation, le constructivisme, et l'aperspectivisme découlant de ces deux traits (la pensée ne peut plus indûment privilégier une perspective particulière). <p>J'utilise pour cela comme outil heuristique la théorie intégrale de Ken Wilber, et mets à profit une série d'analyses et de concepts novateurs inscrits dans une post-métaphysique intégrale, afin de proposer une voie de dépassement au dualisme inhérent à l'axiologie de Callicott et d'équilibrer son approche foncièrement matérielle de l'ontologie morale et du soi relationnel par et au sein d'un holisme intégral (extérieur et intérieur). Celui-ci repose sur la ré-introduction des intériorités du monde :le holisme n'est en effet pas simplement un multiplexe de relations internes entre surfaces matérielles mais également, et nécessairement, le multiplexe des relations intérieures qui co-constituent toute entité, tout holon. <p>Un holon désigne un tout-partie – à la fois entièreté persistante en relation avec d'autres entièretés et partie constituante d'une entièreté plus profonde – qui possède donc intrinsèquement une dimension individuelle et une dimension collective. Celles-ci se doublent de dimensions extérieures (aspects du holon accessibles à l'observation par les sens physiques ou leurs extensions) et intérieures (aspects du holon qui échappent à l'observation matérielle et requièrent, pour leur appréhension, dialogue et interprétation). <p>Je préconise d'intégrer aux notions de sujet et de valeur intrinsèque ces quatre dimensions co-constitutives de tout holon, irréductibles les unes aux autres, et nécessairement impliquées pour tout référent. L'intersubjectivité, littéralement intrinsèque à tout rapport au monde comme à tout référent, en elle-même irréductible à des composantes matérielles, représente le dépassement des dualismes modernes en même temps que la ré-introduction en propre de l'intériorité inhérente du monde. Atomisme et holisme sont transcendés en une approche intégrale qui réinscrit, en regard des relations internes entre surfaces matérielles, les relations intérieures qui les agencent. Par le biais de la théorie intégrale de Wilber, je propose donc de réconcilier l'axiologie de Callicott et sa théorie de la valeur intrinsèque de la nature avec un cadre de pensée postmoderne réhabilitant les intériorités du vivant. <p>--------------- <p>Considering it necessary to articulate and to ground an understanding of the intrinsic value of nature, and finding that Callicott's proposals for adjusting his modern subjective axiology to a postmodern framework fall short on several accounts, I set about to rethink and reexamine his notions of subject and intrinsic value so as to have them integrate not only the ecological-quantic invalidation of the modern subject-object dichotomy but also some prominent features of postmodern thought :contextualism, constructivism, and, following those, aperspectivism (intenability of unduly privileging a single perspective). <p>To this end, I make use of Ken Wilber's Integral Theory as a heuristic tool and take advantage of several innovative analysis and concepts, set in the context of an integral post-metaphysics, in order to suggest a way of transcending the dualism inherent to Callicott's axiology whilst allowing for the fundamentally material conception of his moral ontology and relational self to be balanced by and within an integral holism (exterior and interior). This means re-introducing the world's interiorities :holism isn't simply about a multiplex of internal relations between material surfaces but also, and necessarily, about the multiplex of interior relations that are co-constitutive of any entity, of any holon. <p>A holon designates a whole-part – both a persisting entirety or whole involved in relations with other entities and a constitutive part of deeper wholes – that intrinsically possesses an individual and a collective dimension. These are both further comprised of exterior (aspects of the holon that are accessible to observation by the physical senses or their extensions) and interior (aspects of the holon that evade material observation and require, for their apprehension, a dialogue and interpretation) dimensions. <p>Intersubjectivity, which is literally intrinsic both to any relation with the world and to the co-creation of any referent, and is in itself irreducible to whatever material component, appears as the fundamental overcoming of modernity's dualisms. Concurrently, a holonic understanding of the notions of subject and of intrinsic value is recommended, such that the main constitutive and irreducible dimensions of any holon become foundational to both these notions. Atomism and holism are transcended into an integral approach that acknowledges the interior relations prominent in giving agency and meaning to the various internal relations between material surfaces focused on by Callicott. Through Wilber's Integral Theory, I thus suggest the means of reconciling Callicott's axiology and theory of the intrinsic value of nature with a postmodern framework that rehabilitates life's interiorities. <p> / Doctorat en Philosophie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

This thesis explores the possibilities for ecocritical study in fiction through John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath. Major ecocritical interpretation has yet to gain much traction in novels; by focusing on human nature, this form’s “anthropocentric” posture seems itself to be antithetical to ecocritical efforts, which aim to unseat humans as the center of the moral universe. However, by analyzing The Grapes of Wrath’s formal, narratorial, and thematic valences, I argue that principles of social justice concurrently imply environmental justice in the philosophical currents of the text. Tenets of deep ecology and Aldo Leopold’s “land ethic” inform the novel’s overall environmental outlook. The key to my interpretation is the value of community at the center of Steinbeck’s world. To expand principles of the collectivism and compassion in the social community to include the broader ecological community, I focus on the narrative’s unique Judeo-Christian spirituality and humanistic discourse. Ultimately I identify cohesion in The Grapes of Wrath’s composition that makes a single narrative of both the natural and the human worlds, and that creates a moral universe that guides ethical behavior towards others, both human and non-human; in doing so, I argue Steinbeck’s novel both enacts and represents an ecologically minded ethic.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This assignment is devoted to an in depth analysis of the pro- and the contra-positions in the long-standing and costly debate about the question whether to spray with DDT or not in the fight against malaria. I argue that the dilemma whether or not to spray with DDT is born out of a political agenda, hype, exaggeration and misinformation of the first order. Radical environmentalists appear to insist that DDT is a principal contributor of environmental degradation, and the major cause of death amongst wildlife and humans. Worse still, many Western people seem to be under the impression that mosquitoes cannot cause so much human misery as purported, and that malaria is caused by some kind of plant form of life, or even a virus. The proponents of DDT, on the other hand, appear to be convinced that DDT is a saviour of humankind, and argue that the horrors associated with DDT are exaggerated and baseless, as they are not backed by scientific inquiry. Proponents of DDT also believe that anything that is overused may kill, even ordinary table salt. Inthis assignment, both of these positions are scrutinized. On the basis of an historical overview in Chapter I of the history of the use of DDT, and the emergence of the debate about DDT in the wake of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962), Chapter 2 is devoted to an evaluation of seven basic arguments against the use of DDT, while in Chapter 3 six arguments for the use of DDT are weighed. In Chapter 4 a resolution of the dilemma is proposed in which a case is made for a limited use of DDT only for indoor spraying of huts and houses against malaria mosquitoes until such time as a less dangerous alternative for DDT is found that can be used as effectively in the fight against malaria. As such, this case is informed by the strong moral conviction that we cannot allow poor people of colour to die because of a general ban on the use of DDT. Further research on this ethical debate is encouraged. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werkstuk is toegespits op 'n in-diepte analise van die pro- en kontra-posisies in die voortslepende, asook duur debat oor die gebruik van DDT al dan nie in die bekamping van Malaria. Ek argumenteer dat die dilemma rondom die vraag of DDT gebruik moet word of nie, aangewakker word deur politieke agendas, sensasie, oordrywing en foutiewe informasie van die eerste orde. Radikale omgewingsgesindes dring oënskynlik daarop aan dat die gebruik van DDT 'n hoof-oorsaak is van die agteruitgang van die omgewing, asook 'n primêre oorsaak van dood onder wild en mense. Erger nog, dit wil voorkom of heelwat Westerse mense onder die indruk is dat muskiete nie werklik soveel menslike lyding kan veroorsaak as wat voorgegee word nie, en dat malaria eerder veroorsaak word deur 'n sekere soort plantvorm van lewe, of selfs deur 'n virus. Die voorstaanders van DDT, aan die ander kant, is klaarblyklik oortuig dat DDT 'n redder van die mensdom is, en argumenteer dat die gruwels wat geassosieer word met DDT 'n grondelose oordrywing is, aangesien dit nie deur wetenskaplike ondersoek gesteun word nie. Voorstaanders van DDT glo verder dat enige stof wat in oormaat gebruik word, die dood kan veroorsaak, selfs gewone tafelsout. In hierdie werkstuk word albei hierdie posisies krities bestudeer en bespreek. Op grond van 'n historiese oorsig in Hoofstuk 1 oor die gebruik van DDT, en die ontstaan van die debat oor DDT na aanleiding van Rachel Carson se Silent Spring (1962), word Hoofstuk: 2 gewy aan 'n evaluasie van sewe basiese argumente teen die gebruik van DDT, terwyl in Hoofstuk 3 ses argumente vir die gebruik van DDT oorweeg word. In Hoofstuk 4 word 'n voorstel gemaak vir die resolusie van die dilemma deur 'n saak uit te maak vir die beperkte gebruik van DDT, nl. slegs vir binneshuise gebruik in hutte en huise teen malaria-muskiete tot tyd en wyl 'n minder gevaarlike alternatief vir DDT gevind word wat net so effektief sal wees in die stryd teen malaria. As sulks word hierdie studie gerugsteun deur die sterk morele oortuiging dat ons nie kan toelaat dat mense van kleur sterf as gevolg van 'n algemene verbod op die gebruik van DDT nie. Verdere navorsing oor hierdie etiese debat word aangemoedig.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis explores the importance of an appropriate understanding of ethics in sustainability transitions. Through a conceptual analysis, it finds that the dominant understanding of modernist ethics is unsuitable to the contexts of contingency in sustainability transitions, and that the participatory understanding of ethics as a complex system presents a far more adequate approach to the ethical complexity of socioecological systems. In particular, the strategy of 'practising provisionality' is suggested, which understands the process of ethical decision-making as a process of social learning. This argument is further supported by a critical reflection on the food system context. The present dangers and future uncertainties of sustainability transitions are issues of incredible complexity. Socioecological interactions can have unpredictable impacts on our ability to the needs of both current and future generations, like realising a sustainable food system. Moreover, there are difficult decisions that we also to make in such dilemmas, like the extent of natural resource exploitation, where normativity plays a large role. This means that these complex issues are also ethical issues. The importance of understanding ethics in sustainability transitions is, therefore, of great importance, since we will want to believe we are making the 'right' choices in these changing contexts. However, the understanding of ethics that dominates traditional scientific thinking and academic inquiries represents a paradigm of thought that is insensitive to complexity of socioecological systems, and is therefore, inadequate in addressing the ethical complexity of sustainability transitions. In the context of food systems, this is demonstrated in the linear emphasis on food production that dominates the ethics of realising sustainable food systems. This thesis argues that a more appropriate way of thinking about ethics in times of contingent contexts and socioecological change would have to account for complexity. In an acknowledgement of the complexity of ethics, it is argued that every decision has elements of moral consideration, and that there is also no way to know objectively whether the respective decision was morally 'right' or 'wrong'. Such an understanding of complex ethics would, therefore, emphasise the importance of recursively reasoning through every ethical decision to address any reductionisms of complexity; adopting an attitude of modesty and openness towards dialogue, and adopting a student mentality of social learning that would improve upon one's complex ethical reasoning. Subsequently, the paradigmatic shift of a complex approach to ethics is more adequate in understanding ethics in sustainability transitions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die belangrikheid van 'n toepaslike begrip van etiek in volhoubaarheidsoorgange. Die bevinding van hierdie konseptuele analise is dat die oorheersende begrip van modernistiese etiek ongeskik is in die volhoubaarheidsoorgang konteks van gebeurlikheid en dat die deelnemende begrip van etiek as 'n komplekse sisteem 'n baie meer toepaslike benadering is tot die etiese kompleksiteit van sosioekologiese sisteme. Die strategie van 'praktiese voorlopigheid' word in die besonder voorgestel. Dit sien die proses van etiese besluitneming as 'n proses van sosiale leerwyse. Die argument word verder ondersteun deur die kritiese refleksie op die voedselsisteem konteks. Die huidige gevare en toekomstige onsekerheid van volhoubaarheidsoorgange is geweldige ingewikkelde strydvrae. Sosioekologiese interaksies kan onvoorsiene impakte hê op ons vermoeëns om die behoeftes van beide huidige en toekomstige generasies aan te spreek, soos om volhoubare voedselsisteme te laat realiseer. Verder is daar moelike besluite wat geneem moet word tydens sulke dilemmas, soos die mate waartoe ons natuurlike bronne geeksploiteer word, waar normativiteit 'n groot rol speel. Dit beteken dat hierdie komplekse strydvrae ook etiese strydvrae is. Die belangrikheid van die begrip van etiek in volhoubare oorgange is derhalwe van groot belang, aangesien ons wil glo ons neem die regte besluite in hierdie veranderende kontekste. Die begrip van etiek wat die traditionele wetenskaplike denkwyse en akademiese navrae domineer, kom egter voor as 'n paradigmiese denkwyse wat onsensitief is ten opsigte van die kompleksitiet van die sosioekologiese sisteme, en dus tekortskiet in die hantering van die etiese kompleksitiet van volhoubare oorgange. In die voedselsisteem konteks word dit gedemonstreer in die liniêre klem wat op voedselproduksie geplaas word, wat die etiek van die realisasie van voedselsisteme domineer. Hierdie tesis redeneer dat 'n meer paslike denkwyse omtrent etiek in tye van gebeurlike kontekste en sosioekologiese veranderinge sal moet rekenskap gee van kompleksitieit. In die erkenning van die kompleksiteit van etiek, word dit geredeneer dat elke besluit 'n element van morele oorweging het, en dat daar ook geen manier is om objektief te weet of die respektiewe besluit moreel 'korrek' of verkeerd' is nie. So 'n begrip van komplekse etiek sal, dus die belangrikheid van konstante redenering in elke etiese besluitneming beklemtoon, om enige reduksionisme van kompleksiteit aan te spreek. Dit geskied deurmiddel van 'n houding van beskeidenheid en oopheid tot dialoog, en die aanneming van 'n studente mentaliteit van sosiale leerwyse wat 'n komplekse etiese redenering kan verbeter. Gevolglik, is die paradigmatiese verskuiwing van 'n komplekse benadering tot etiek meer paslik in die begrip van etiek in volhoubaarheidsoorgange.

Thesis (DPhil (Philosophy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Through my research I have developed an alternative conceptual approach to project-level environmental assessment in South Africa, which begins to move beyond modernism in its philosophical, procedural and substantive aspects. This approach draws on the ideas of certain radical philosophers, and three innovative thinkers, namely: Bent Flyvbjerg, Amartya Sen and Paul Cilliers. The overall purpose of project-level environmental assessment (i.e. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)) is to predict the impacts on the environment of proposed development, and to recommend ways to mitigate its negative consequences and enhance its positive effects. However, there are a number of recurring problems in the practice of EIA which include: achieving interdisciplinarity in the assessment process; effectively undertaking stakeholder engagement; and accurately predicting the impacts of proposed developments. Addressing uncertainty and adequately considering the implications of cumulative and social impacts are also often poorly addressed in environmental assessment procedures. In this thesis, I describe these problems as symptomatic of the modernist roots of environmental assessment, an argument, or similar, which has been made by others in related domains (e.g. philosophy), as well as in the international field of environmental assessment itself. I identify the following three main problematic assumptions of the modern worldview that are currently constraining the effectiveness of this field: A system can be understood by observing the behaviour of its parts; All processes flow along linear, deterministic, predictable and orderly paths; and Technical, objective, natural science-based information and processes are separate from, and superior to, non-technical, subjective, and value-based information and processes. Drawing on my investigation of the core ideas of radical ecologists and of the work of Bent Flyvbjerg, Amartya Sen and Paul Cilliers, I challenge the modernist assumptions listed above and propose an alternative conceptual approach to environmental assessment, which involves the formulation of a ‘sustainability argument’. I explain the philosophical tenets (for example, humans and nature are seen as part of an interrelated social-ecological system) and general principles on which this approach rests (for example, the normative nature of all knowledge of social-ecological systems should be recognised), as well as its key characteristics (for example, the team that undertakes the study should comprise disciplinary specialists, key stakeholders and at least one ‘sustainability practitioner’ who coordinates the development of the argument). These tenets, principles and characteristics are designed to guide the development of context-specific processes, for the formulation of a sustainability argument that informs project-level development decisionmaking. The ‘sustainability argument’ approach moves beyond the human-nature (or developmentenvironment) divide inherent in current environmental assessment, in which the impact of the former on the latter is determined. The focus is shifted to understanding how the social-ecological system is likely to alter, under different conditions, as a result of the proposed development, which is seen as a potential change in the system. In addition, the way in which the social-ecological system is likely to affect the implementation of this change is described. These effects are evaluated in relation to contextually defined sustainability values, which are identified by key stakeholders through a participatory process, and guided by the principles proposed as part of the sustainability argument approach. The principles include a view of humans and nature as part of an interrelated social-ecological system in which diversity, both human and natural, is valued as a pre-requisite to sustainability. Human needs are defined beyond the provision of basic goods and services, to include the promotion and enhancement of the valuable functionings and capabilities of an individual, as described by Sen (1988b). Nature is valued, not only for its role in enabling the achievement of these functionings and capabilities, but also for the fact of its existence, as part of the overall social-ecological system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In my navorsing het ek alternatiewe, konseptuele benadering tot omgewingsbeoordeling op projekvlak in Suid Afrika ontwerp, wat begin om verby die filosofiese, prosedurele en substantiewe aspekte van die modernisme te beweeg. Hierdie benadering berus op die idees van sekere radikale filosowe, en drie innoverende denkers, naamlik: Bent Flyvbjerg, Amartya Sen en Paul Cilliers. Die oorkoepelende doelstelling van omgewingsbeoordeling op projekvlak (i.e. Omgewingsimpakstudie (OIS)) is om die impakte op die omgewing van voorgestelde ontwikkeling te voorspel, en om voorstelle te maak om die negatiewe gevolge daarvan te beperk en die positiewe gevolge te bevorder. Tog is daar aantal herhalende probleme in die praktyk van OIS, wat die volgende insluit: Die bereiking van interdissiplinariteit in die proses van omgewingsbeoordeling; die versekering van effektiewe deelname van belangegroepe; en die akkurate voorspelling van die impakte van voorgestelde ontwikkeling. Die hantering van onsekerhede en die voldoende oorweging van die implikasies van kumulatiewe en sosiale impakte word ook nie voldoende aangespreek in die ontwerp van omgewingsbeoordeling nie. In hierdie tesis beskryf ek hierdie probleme as simptome van die modernistiese grondslag van omgewingsbeoordeling, wat soortgelyke punt maak as die argument wat nie alleen deur ander in verwante velde (e.g. filosofie) ontwikkel is nie, maar ook in die internasionale veld van omgewingsbeoordeling self. Ek identifiseer die volgende drie problematiese kernaannames van die moderne wêreldbeeld, wat tans die doeltreffendheid van omgewingsbeoordeling beperk: Sisteem kan verstaan word deur die gedrag van sy dele waar te neem; Alle prosesse volg liniêre, deterministiese, voorspelbare en geordende patrone; en Tegniese prosesse en objektiewe, natuurwetenskaplik-begronde inligting is apart van, en verhewe bo, nie-tegniese prosesse en subjektiewe en waardegebaseerde oorwegings. Op grond van my ondersoek van die kernidees van radikale ekoloë, asook die werke van Bent Flyvbjerg, Amartya Sen en Paul Cilliers, daag ek die bogenoemde modernistiese veronderstellings uit, en stel alternatiewe benadering tot omgewingsbeoordeling voor, wat die formulering van ‘volhoubaarheidsargument’ insluit. Ek verduidelik die filosofiese uitgangspunte (byvoorbeeld dat die mens en die natuur, in onderlinge wisselwerking met mekaar, gesien moet word as deel van geïntegreerde sosio-ekologiese sisteem) en algemene beginsels waarop hierdie benadering berus (byvoorbeeld dat die normatiewe aard van alle kennis van sosio-ekologiese sisteme erken behoort te word), asook die kenmerkende eienskappe daarvan (byvoorbeeld dat die span, wat die studie onderneem, saamgestel moet word uit kenners vanuit verskillende dissiplines, sleutelbelanghebbendes, en ten minste een ‘volhoubaarheidspraktisyn’ wat die ontwikkeling van die argument koördineer). Hierdie uitgangspunte, beginsels en eienskappe is ontwerp om die ontwikkeling van konteksspesifieke prosesse te stuur, en vir die formulering van volhoubaarheidsargument wat besluitneming oor ontwikkeling op projekvlak informeer. Die ‘volhoubaarheidsargument’ benadering beweeg verby die mens-natuur (of ontwikkelingomgewing) onderskeid inherent aan die huidige praktyk van omgewingsbeoordeling, waar die impak van die eersgenoemde op die laasgenoemde bepaal word. Die klem verskuif na begrip vir die manier waarop die sosio-ekologiese sisteem moontlik gaan verander, onder sekere toestande, as gevolg van die voorgestelde verandering, wat beskou word as moontlike verandering in die sisteem. Boonop word die manier waarop die sosio-ekologiese sisteem waarskynlik die implementering van die verandering gaan beïnvloed ook beskryf. Hierdie effekte word geëvalueer met betrekking tot konteks-gedefinieerde volhoubaarheidswaardes, wat deur deelnameproses geïdentifiseer word deur sleutel belanghebbendes, en gelei deur die beginsels wat voorgestel word as deel van die volhoubaarheidsargument benadering. Die beginsels sluit beskouing van mense en die natuur as deel van interverwante sosio-ekologiese sisteem waarin diversiteit, beide menslik en natuurlik, gewaardeer word as voorwaarde vir volhoubaarheid in. Menslike behoeftes is gedefinieer as meer as net die voorsiening van basiese goedere en dienste om die bevordering en verbetering van die waardevolle funksioneringe en vermoëns van individu, soos beskryf deur Sen (1988b), in te sluit. Die natuur word gewaardeer, nie slegs vir die rol wat dit speel om die verwesenliking van hierdie funksioneringe en vermoëns moontlik te maak nie, maar ook vir die feit van die natuur se bestaan, as deel van die algehele sosio-ekologiese sisteem.

Thesis (PhD) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dissertation traces the development of environmental assessment and environmental ethics as these disciplines have evolved independently in response to the global environmental crisis. The aim is to determine the extent to which they can promote the integration of the dissociated objective and subjective spheres of human valuation of the environment. This is a necessary condition, it is argued, for arresting the pathology in the human-environment relationship. The study concludes that both disciplines were initially trapped in narrow, monistic approaches, which rendered them largely ineffective. However, their evolutionary advancement, and a common grounding in a radical conceptualization of sustainable development, greatly enhances their usefulness in environmental decisionmaking. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verhandeling ondersoek die evolusionêre ontwikkeling van omgewingsimpakbepaling en die filosofie van omgewingsetika, na die ontstaan van die twee disiplines in reaksie tot die globale omgewingskrisis. Die studiedoelwit is om te bepaal tot watter mate hulle die integrasie van die gedissosieerde objektiewe en die subjektiewe sfere van menslikeomgewingswaardering kan bevorder. Daar word geredeneer dat sodanige integrasie noodsaaklik is om die patologie in die verhouding tussen die mens en sy omgewing te stuit. Die belangrikste gevolgtrekking is dat beide disiplines, tydens hulle aanvangsstadia, vasgeval was in 'n monistiese benadering wat hul doeltreffendheid belemmer het. Die onlangse ontwikkeling van omgewingsimpakbepaling en omgewingsetika, sowel as 'n gemeenskaplike uitgangspunt binne 'n radikale vertolking van volhoubare ontwikkeling, versterk grootliks hulle bruikbaarheid vir omgewingsbesluitneming.

The theoretical part of the thesis summarizes the findings concerning the fulfillment of environmental education in the Czech Republic and comparison with environmental education in the EU. The research part deals with the change of opinion on the environment in the second year of the grammar school in Nové Strašecí after completing the residential educational program. The analysis has shown that environmental-related views have changed in some cases after passing the course (for example, in waste sorting or fertilizer opinion), but most of the views have not changed (for example, in the willingness to give money to the environment or in view of exaggerating environmental problems).

This thesis explores W.P. Kinsella's emphasis on love for land, family, and baseball in discussing relationships between characters in his short story "Shoeless Joe Jackson Comes to Iowa". Chapter I introduces the characters, their role in establishing this as a tale of conservation through agrarianism, and how Kinsella's choice to write a positive story creates unique potential for healing. Chapter II establishes similarities between the father's war experiences and Jackson's exile from baseball, underscoring its mythic importance. Chapter III examines the relationship between the protagonist and his wife, and how their relationship symbolically fosters love for nature through farming, and can be used to reconcile modern agrarianism with ecocriticism. Chapter IV discusses how connection with the earth brings healing. The final chapter underscores the worthiness of this work to be a cherished part of the American literary canon. / by Ashley Santy. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Esta tese analisa a insercao da sustentabilidade nas contratacoes publicas brasileiras, em perspectiva interdisciplinar que relaciona Direito, Etica Ambiental e Desenvolvimento. Empreende-se analise do modelo de Desenvolvimento brasileiro, focado no crescimento economico e as limitacoes decorrentes. A Sustentabilidade e estudada como valor e principio, em conteudo multidimensional que ultrapassa o classico tripe ambiental, social e economico, com destaque a Etica. A partir da jusfilosofia, o Direito e examinado em suas funcoes de contencao, legitimacao economica e manutencao do status quo, suas relacoes com o desenvolvimento economico, assim como em seu potencial de desencadear transformacoes sociais, pela substituicao de uma racionalidade calcada nos mitos da lei e do progresso por paradigmas emergentes fundados na Etica Ambiental e na Sustentabilidade como principio e valor. A pesquisa e conclusiva pelas contratacoes publicas sustentaveis brasileiras como vetores da consecucao de um ideal de Desenvolvimento que nao se restrinja aos aspectos economicos, mas que foque nas liberdades humanas, no bem-estar intergeracional, na preservacao ambiental e na reducao das desigualdades sociais, por meio de um Direito atuante e transformador e das conexoes entre teoria e pratica. Conclui-se que as contratacoes publicas sustentaveis brasileiras provocaram uma fissura na hegemonia da regulacao que caracteriza o Direito e a Administracao Publica pelo conteudo emancipatorio que a juridicidade e a articulacao dos atores em rede podem assumir. / This thesis analyzes the insertion of sustainability in Brazilian public procurement, from an interdisciplinary perspective that relates Law, Environmental Ethics and Development. The study puts under analysis the development model adopted in Brazil, focused on economic growth, and its resulting limitations. Sustainability is examined as a value and a principle, in a multidimensional content that surpasses the classical tripod based on environmental, social and economic dimensions, with emphasis on Ethics. From a Philosophy of Law approach, Law is scrutinized in its functions of contention, economic legitimation and status quo maintenance, its relations with economic development, as well as its potential to unleash social transformation, by replacing a rationality based on the myths of law and progress with emerging paradigms founded on Environmental Ethics and Sustainability as a principle and a value. The research demonstrates that Brazilian sustainable public procurement is a vector for the achievement of an ideal of development not restricted to economic aspects, but focused on human liberties, intergenerational welfare, environmental preservation and reduction of social inequalities, by means of an active and transforming Law and the connections between theory and practice. The work concludes that Brazilian sustainable public procurement breaks the hegemony of regulation that characterizes Law and Public Administration, due to the emancipatory content that can be assumed by Law and the articulation of the agents in network.

Cette thèse examine les questions éthiques, sociales et politiques posées par la gestion des déchets mise en place par les sociétés industrielles. La réflexion prend son point de départ dans le constat qu’en philosophie l’analyse de la gestion des déchets se limite à une approche symbolique des rapports que nous entretenons avec eux. Il s’agit de montrer qu’une telle approche occulte l’arrière-plan politique et social du problème et qu’elle ne fait pas de la gestion des déchets l’objet d’un questionnement sur le rapport entre l’homme et la nature, reléguant l’enjeu environnemental posé par les déchets au domaine technique. Ce travail propose de dépasser la logique dualiste selon laquelle il reviendrait aux techniciens de prendre en charge le traitement physique des déchets et aux philosophes de s’occuper de l’examen d’une signification symbolique (intrasociale). Il s’agit de démontrer que loin d’être circonscrite à la sphère technico-économique, la gestion des déchets par les sociétés industrielles est en interaction permanente avec le monde social et soulève des problèmes de justice. Dans cette perspective, le problème environnemental soulevé par les déchets ne peut être saisi que si l’on adopte une conception de la nature comme communauté : les déchets en atteignant (de façon inégale) l'environnement des populations affectent également celles-ci parce qu'elles entretiennent avec lui une relation d’interdépendance. Afin de déterminer les principes normatifs d’une justice détritique et de penser une juste gestion des déchets, la thèse soutient alors une conception culturelle des inégalités environnementales. / This thesis aims at examining the ethical, social and political issues raised by waste management of industrialized societies. Philosophical analyses of waste management generally adopt a symbolic approach that tends, in one hand, to ignore political and social issues and, on the other hand, to disregard the human-nature relation since environmental issues of waste management are limited to technical sphere. Yet, I suggest that this dual approach must be criticized and question the idea that technicians should deal with the waste treatment while philosophers (or sociologists) should only considerer the symbolic significance. This work argues that waste management of industrialized societies is not only a technical issue since its continuously in relation with the social sphere and among other things raises issues of justice. In this regard, I support that the environmental issue caused by waste management can only be grasped if we assume a conception of nature as community: when wastes affect (unevenly) the environment in which people live, wastes also have an impact on the populations because people nurture interdependent relationship with their environment. Once this has been established, I demonstrate that a cultural vision of environmental inequalities should be defended in order to identify and determine normative principles of waste justice.