Thesis (M. A.)--Trinity International University, 2008. / Abstract. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-85).

Inaug.-Diss.--Leipzig. / Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Chinese / Master / Master of Arts

Human society comes in contact with the physical environment in two ways: Through economic appropriation of physical resources and through the symbolic appropriation of nature. The two 'ways' interact via the various interpreters of nature, who as they define nature create cognitive means for the appropriation of physical resources. / Using the theory of social networks of power the thesis examines the above interplay of economic appropriation and symbolic manipulation of the physical environment from the Stone Age to the Hellenistic times in a series of civilisations in Eurasia. It reasons that as we move from the Stone Age to pristine civilisations we encounter two phenomena: first, a process of variation in nature's interpretation due to social stratification. Second, interpretation of nature becomes the subject matter of elite groups, the literati, firmly attached to political elites. Yet, with the advent of the Axial Age nature's interpreters become increasingly autonomous and use metaphors of nature as means to reflect on political and social issues of the day. In turn, as we can see in the case of ancient Greece, various political elites start to use particular readings of nature to consolidate their ideological position vis-a-vis their rivals. Thus, Axial Age ideologies about nature move from passive interpreters of what exists to dynamic advocates of what should exist. / Thus, the wisdom of the major schools of political ecology is contested in four major issues: First, there has never been a single reading of nature, but many co-existing in geographical and social proximity. Secondly, there is no specific time when nature lost its sacredness. Instead, we detect a steady withdrawal of the divine from the physical environment starting with the emergence of reflecting thinking. Thirdly, the development of nature's symbolic attributes lies not only in its relationship to politics, but also on the internal dynamics, strength and weakness, of the discourse in itself as well as on the organisational capabilities of particular schools of thought. Lastly, economic exploitation as such does not depend on specific readings of nature. Rather, it depends on technological advances, the nexus of political and ideological social networks of power.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2005. / Supervisor: Barry Allen. Includes bibliographical references (p. 188-200). Also available online.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity International University, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-85).

Inaug.-Diss.--Leipzig. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (PhD) - Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, 2009. / Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology - 2009. Typescript. Bibliography: p. 310-314.

Teilw. zugl.: Frankfurt (Main), Univ., Diss., 2004

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.