Post on 12-Jan-2016
Ecological Learning:What Have We Learnt?
What Haven't We Learnt?...and Why?
Paul MaitenyCounselling for Sustainable Life
Paul@PsychEcology.Net07914 703305
SUSTAINABILITY - WHERE ARE WE GOING?Strategic pathways to sustainability in the public
education sectorA conference for senior staff, trustees, directors and
educatorsTrust for Sustainable Living, 24 March 2010
Here I sitin my rural, ecological niche
metabolizing a breakfastdrawn from three continents,
and quietly increasingthe world's carbon dioxide
which,as the scientists now(sic) tell us, may be, but probably is not,
helping to thawthe polar ice
Sir Geoffrey Vickers, V.C. (in Goring)
1968!
\________________/
\____________________________/
\______________________________________/
\_____________________________________________________/bio-ecological relations
(‘nature’)
\________________/
\____________________________/
\______________________________________/socio-ecological relations
(‘society' level 1)\_____________________________________________________/
bio-ecological relations(‘nature’)
The existence of society depends on bio-ecological nature
(in Maiteny, 2000, adapted from Wilden, 1987)
\________________/
\____________________________/economic relations(‘society’ level 2)
\______________________________________/socio-ecological relations
(‘society' level 1)\_____________________________________________________/
bio-ecological relations(‘nature’)
The existence of economy depends on society depends on bio-ecological nature
(in Maiteny, 2000, adapted from Wilden, 1987)
person – psyche – emotion - instinct
\________________/meaning, ideology, decision-making
(political, religious, etc values, beliefs, worldviews)\____________________________/
economic relations(‘society’ level 2)
\______________________________________/socio-ecological relations
(‘society' level 1)\_____________________________________________________/
bio-ecological relations(‘nature’)
The existence of culture depends on society/economy which depend on bio-ecological nature
(in Maiteny, 2000, adapted from Wilden, 1987)
societyeconomy natureculture
mind body
intellect emotion
conscious unconscious
capital labour
Imaginary split & oppositionIn actuality, there is no split
Left depends for existence on rightBut cultural habit is more powerful than fact
& actuality
person - psyche - emotions - instinct
\_______________________/bio-ecological relations
(‘nature’)\_______________________________/
socio-ecological(‘society’ level '2')
\________________________________________/economic relations('society' level '1')
\_____________________________________________________/meaning, ideology, decision-making
(political, religious & other values, beliefs, worldviews)
The Imaginary Flip & Cultural Habit:“nature 'depends' on society, society depends on
economy”......results in bio-ecological breakdown because of...
(in Maiteny, 2000, adapted from Wilden, 1987)
....The ‘Inevitable Rule’:
The system that destroys its environmentdestroys itself.
(Fearful of the future), we cast about for innovative ways to satisfy obsolete values.
We contemplate changing almost anything on this earth but ourselves.
Before we set out to reform the world, we would do well to pause and see about reforming
ourselves.
(Ervin Laszlo, 1989, The Inner Limits of Mankind)
It is high time we engaged in an individual & collective soul-searching; in a much needed
psychoanalysis of our inner limits.
By examining & identifying the arbitrary inner limits to our growth & development, we (c)ould learn to cast them off like the
outgrown habits of our collective adolescence.
Even if the process is painful, its potential benefits (c)ould encourage us to carry it
through.
(Ervin Laszlo, 1989, The Inner Limits of Mankind)
Further reading
Completing the Holistic Perspective: Emotions and Psyche in Education for Sustainability and the Development of an Ecosystemic Conscience. Article 6.61.4.2 of The UNESCO Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (2009)
Yearning for Our Niche: the role of meaningfulness in eco-systemic health. In J. of Holistic Healthcare. Vol 6. Iss 3. Nov 2009)
Finding Meaning Without Consuming: the ability to experience meaning, purpose and satisfaction through non-material wealthIn The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy (available on Web)
Ecological Learning:What Have We Learnt?
What Haven't We Learnt?...and Why?
Paul MaitenyCounselling for Sustainable Life
Paul@PsychEcology.Net07914 703305
SUSTAINABILITY - WHERE ARE WE GOING?Strategic pathways to sustainability in the public
education sectorA conference for senior staff, trustees, directors and
educatorsTrust for Sustainable Living, 24 March 2010