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David O'Byrne

David O'Byrne

Researcher

David O'Byrne

An Approach to Justifying Normative Arguments in Sustainability Science, with Insights from the Philosophy of Science and Social Theory

Author

  • David O’byrne

Summary, in English

In this paper, I put forward an argument that sustainability science can make objectively grounded normative claims about what courses of action society should pursue in order to achieve sustainability. From a survey of the philosophy of science, social theory and sustainability science literature, I put forward an approach to justifying these normative arguments. This approach builds on the insight that social theories are value-laden and that dominant and pervasive social practices find their justification in some social theory. The approach: (i) focuses on the analysis of concrete cases; (ii) paying attention to the social practices that produce environmental problems and the theories that support those practices; (iii) examines alternative theories, and (iv) justifies a normative position by identifying the most comprehensive theoretical understanding of the particular case. Although the approach focuses on the analysis of particular cases it does not rely on value relativism. Furthermore, while the focus is on the role of science in producing normative arguments about society’s trajectory, it maintains space for the inclusion of the values of the public in environmental decision-making. However, while this approach aims to provide a rational basis to normative positions, it does not presume that this will lead to social consensus on these issues.

Department/s

  • LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)

Publishing year

2022

Language

English

Pages

19-28

Publication/Series

Challenges in Sustainability

Volume

10

Issue

2

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Librello Publishing House

Topic

  • Philosophy

Keywords

  • Decision-Making
  • Environmental Research
  • Fact/Value Dichotomy
  • Normativity

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 2297-6477