1.1: Perspectives Flashcards
What are worldviews?
The lenses through which groups of people see and understand the world around them
Their view of the world
Effect how people think, believe and behave
Their moral compass, judgement decisions
What aspects contribute to people’s worldviews?
Cultural beliefs
Philosophical ideas
Political opinions
Religious teaching
Etc.
What is the difference between worldviews and perspective?
Worldview ->
broader and deeper set of beliefs
Values/ideologies that shape how individuals/groups perceive and interpret the world
Perspective ->
More specific and immediate viewpoints/attitudes
Pertains to particular issues or topics (situational)
What is the impact of tech and media to worldviews?
Exposed to a wider range of worldviews outside of local community
Attempts to categorize different perspectives into groups can become challenging -> complex mix of beliefs and opinons
What is an environmental value system (EVS)?
The way that an individual/group of people perceive the environment and the resources it provides them with
What can influence a group/persons environmental value system?
Can be influenced by variety of factors:
Cultural
Religious
Social
Political
Economic
Environmental
Etc.
Factors act as flow of information into individuals within society
Individual then processes and transforms this information into THEIR perception of environment and how to act on such matters
Why is an environmental value system considered a system?
Determined by:
Set of inputs (ex: factors listed)
That generates outputs (ex: persons perceptions, decisions, actions, evaluations, etc)
What are the types of environmental value systems?
Broadly divided into three categories:
Ecocentric (nature centered)
Intrinsic value of nature > human needs and interest
Anthropocentric (people centered)
Humans needs and interest > other living things and environment
Technocentric (technology centered)
Technology/human ingenuity -> center of ‘solution’
What values do ecocentrism include?
Ecocentric ->
Nature has inherent value
Nature central to humanity
Minimum disturbance to natural processes
Restraint on natural resource use
Less materialistic
Biorights and environmental education
What values does anthropocentrism include?
Anthropocentric ->
Humans have the right to use natural resources
Humans must sustainably manage global systems (tax, law, regulation, etc.)
Everyone should participate in environmental decision making
Economic growth/exploitation of natural resources can continue if managed carefully
Preserving biodiversity -> economic+ecological benefits
What values does technocentrism include?
Technocentric ->
Technology will provide solutions (despite humans pushing natural systems to their limits)
Need to understand natural systems to control them
Scientific research/predictions used to inform policy
Emphasis on sustaining global market
Continual economic growth
Assumes all can be solved via technology -> neglect need for conservation?
Strengths and weaknesses of: ecocentrism
Strengths:
Reuse material -> sustainable
Minimize environmental impact
Better for long term
No need to wait for technological development
Weaknesses:
Conservation is expensive -> no quick economic return
Developing countries argue they should be allowed to continue growing economically
Hard to change individual attitudes
Strengths and weaknesses of: technocentrism
Strengths:
Substitutes materials -> avoids costly industrial changes
Provides solution -> convenience
Allow social and economic progress
Weakness:
Greater rate of resource consumption
May lead to further environmental problems
High cost
Humans will become more disconnected from nature
What is a perspective?
How an individual sees and understand a particular situation
Not fixed -> can evolve
What factors influence perspective?
Assumptions
Values
Beliefs/religion
Personal experience
Background
Societal influences/norms
Science
Laws
Economic/educational status
Etc.
