Relating the philosophy and practice of ecological economics: The role of concepts, models, and case studies in inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research

Abstract

We develop a comprehensive multi-level approach to ecological economics (CML-approach) which integrates philosophical considerations on the foundations of ecological economics with an adequate operationalization. We argue that the subject matter and aims of ecological economics require a specific combination of inter-and transdisciplinary research, and discuss the epistemological position on which this approach is based. In accordance with this understanding of inter-and transdisciplinarity and the underlying epistemological position, we develop an operationalization which comprises simultaneous analysis on three levels of abstraction: concepts, models and case studies. We explain these levels in detail, and, in particular, deduce our way of generic modeling in this context. Finally, we illustrate the CML-approach and demonstrate its fruitfulness by the example of the sustainable management of semi-arid rangelands.

New foundations for ecological economics

“…The need to save ecological economics from an "arbitrary openness to just everything" is recognised by Baumgartner et al (2008). Although their discussion still claims an epistemological plurality to support plurality in the use of methods.…”

“…Indeed, under epistemology, they actually end-up arguing for a social constructivist position, although without making clear if this is strong or weak. 13 They also state the need for a unified methodological basis which needs to be consistent with and systematically directed towards the subject matter and aims of ecological economics (Baumgartner et al, 2008). Some of their suggestions in this area are potentially progressive.…”

“…Ecological economists struggling with epistemological issues are aware of the need for something of a middle path (Baumgartner et al, 2008;Tacconi, 1998). As Jacobs (1996: 16) explains, ecological economics requires an approach that "accepts neither the scientific reduction of the natural environment to its physical characteristics, nor the constructivist position which denies biophysical constraints on social life".…”

Environmental economics and ecological economics: the contribution of interdisciplinarity to understanding, influence and effectiveness

“…Ecological economics is interdisciplinary in that it involves the cooperation of people from different scientific disciplines (Baumgärtner et al 2008). Interdisciplinary research can involve the coordination of work from different disciplines, each with their own set of concepts, methods and theories, which are brought together, integrated and analysed to reach conclusions.…”

“…EE is concerned with 'the relationship between the economic and the ecological system, and its underlying central aim is to provide knowledge for a sustainable management of this relationship' (Baumgärtner et al 2008).…”