Environmental Sociology

And the HEP-NEP Distinction

DISCUSSION GROUP TOPICS:

What do you think are some of the characteristics of the “dominant western world view” in general?

What do you think are some of the key characteristics of the “dominant western world view” as it applies to science, nature, and natural resources”?

Catton and Dunlap have criticized sociological theory - in general - for not giving enough attention to critical feedback linkages between natural and built environments and society.

They argue that there is a need in sociology to shift paradigms, or take on a new world view that incorporates linkages between ecosystems and social systems.

C and D begin by noting that the development of environmental problems, especially in the past four decades, has changed attitudes and expectations amongst the general public and sociologists alike.

There has been a dramatic shift from the 1950's when the North American dreams of social progress, upward mobility, and societal stability seemed secure.

Before we begin a discussion of the development of the "new ecological paradigm" we must first review what is meant by the term paradigm.

According to Ritzer, a paradigm is a fundamental image of the subject matter within a science.

It serves to define what should be studied, what questions should be asked, how they should be asked, and what rules should be followed in interpreting the answer obtained.

The paradigm is the broadest unit of consensus within a science and serves to differentiate one scientific community (or sub-community) from another.

It subsumes, defines and inter-relates the exemplars, theories, methods, and instruments that exist within it.

Catton and Dunlap argue that the numerous competing theoretical perspectives in contemporary sociology (for instance structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism to name a few) tend to exaggerate their differences from each other.

C and D argue that their diversity is not as important as the fundamental anthropocentricism which underlies all of them.

This mutual anthropocentricism is part of a basic sociological world view.

C & D label this view, the "Human Exceptionalism Paradigm" (HEP).

Catton and Dunlap argue that acceptance of the assumption of the HEP has made it difficult for most sociologists to deal meaningfully with the social implications of ecological problems and constraints

"The HEP comprises several assumptions that have either been challenged by recent additions to knowledge, or have had their optimistic implications contradicted by events of the seventies. Accepted explicitly or implicitly by all existing theoretical persuasions, they include:

1. Human are unique among the earth's creatures, for they have culture.

2. Culture can vary almost infinitely and can change much more rapidly than biological traits.

3. Thus man human differences are socially induced rather than inborn, they can be social altered, and inconvenient differences can be eliminated.

4. Thus, also, cultural accumulation means that progress can continue without limit, making all social problems ultimately solvable."

Catton and Dunlap state that sociological acceptance of this optimistic world view was shaped by the doctrine of progress inherent in Western culture.

They argue that the majority of the public (until recently) maintained a strong belief that the present was better than the past and the future would improve upon the present.

Catton and Dunlap state that neglect of the ecosystem-dependence of human society has been particularly evident in sociological literature on economic development, which has failed to recognize biogeochemical limits to material progress.

When the public started to become concerned about newly visible environmental problems, it was biologists who served as opinion leaders not sociologists.

Sociologists began to read the work of these "opinion leaders" and assumption and perceptions changed.

Sociologists began to recognize that the reality of ecological constraints posed serious problems for human societies as well as for the discipline of sociology.

At the beginning of the 70's concern with the environment as a social problem led to numerous studies of public attitudes toward environmental issues and of the "Environmental Movement".

Links developed between sociologists concerned with a range of issues, including the build environment, natural hazards, resource management, outdoor recreation, and "social impact assessment".

After the energy crisis of 1973 numerous sociologists began to study the effects of energy shortages in particular, and resource constraints in general, on society.

For example, the effects of resource constraints on the stratification system, the political order, and the family

"Conceptions of "environment" range from the "manmade" (or "built") environment to the "natural" environment, with an array of "human-altered environments -e.g., air, water, noise, and visual pollution-in between.

Catton and Dunlap go on to describe the development of environmental sociology, which rests on a different set of assumptions.

1. Human beings are but one species among the many that are interdependently involved in the biotic communities that shape our social life.

2.Intricate linkages of cause and effect and feedback in the web of nature produce many unintended consequences from purposive human action.

3.The world is finite, so there are potent physical and biological limits constraining economic growth social progress, and other societal phenomena.

A Comparison of Major Assumptions in the Dominant Western Worldview, Sociology’s Human Exemptionalism Paradigm, and the Proposed New Ecological Paradigm

Assumptionsabout the nature of human beings

DWW1:People are fundamentallydifferent from all other creatures onEarth, over whichthey have dominion

HEP1:Human have culturalheritage in additionto (and distinct from)their genetic inheritance,and thus are quite unlikeall other animal species.

Assumptions aboutsocial causation

DWW2:People are mastersof their destiny; theychoose their goalsand learn to do what-ever is necessary to do.

HEP2:Social and culturalfactors (includingtechnology) are the majordeterminants of humanaffairs.

Dominant WesternWorldview (DWW)

Human ExemptionalismParadigm (HEP)

Assumptionsabout the contextof human society

DWW3:The world is vast,and thus providesunlimited opportunities forhumans.

HEP3:Social and culturalenvironments arethe crucial context forhuman affairs, and the biophysical environmentis largely irrelevant.

Assumptions about constraintson human society

DWW4:The history ofhumanity is one ofprogress; for everyproblem there is asolution, and thus progress need never cease.

HEP4:Culture is cumulative;thus technologicalprogress can continueindefinitely, making allsocial problems ultimately soluble.

Dominant WesternWorldview (DWW)

Human ExemptionalismParadigm (HEP)

Assumptionsabout the nature of human beings

DWW1:People are fundamentallydifferent from all other creatures onEarth, over whichthey have dominion

NEP1: While humans haveexceptional characteristics(culture, technology, etc.),they remain one amongmany species that are interdependently involvedin the global ecosystem.

Assumptions aboutsocial causation

DWW2:People are mastersof their destiny; theychoose their goalsand learn to do what-ever is necessary to do.

NEP2: Human affairs are influenced not only by social and cultural factors, but also by intricate linkages of cause, effect, and feedback in the web of nature; thus purposive human actions have many unintended consequences.

Dominant WesternWorldview (DWW)

New EcologicalParadigm (NEP)

Assumptionsabout the contextof human society

DWW3:The world is vast,and thus providesunlimited opportunities forhumans.

NEP3: Humans live inand are dependent upona finite biophysicalenvironment which imposes potential physicaland biological restraintson human affairs.

Assumptions about constraintson human society

DWW4:The history ofhumanity is one ofprogress; for everyproblem there is asolution, and thus progress need never cease.

NEP4: Although theinventiveness of humansand the powers derivedtherefrom may seem fora while to extend carryingcapacity limits, ecologicallaws cannot be repealed

Dominant WesternWorldview (DWW)

New EcologicalParadigm (NEP)