Heikkurinen, PP, Rinkinen, J, Järvensivu, T et al. (2 more authors) (2016) Organising in the Anthropocene: An Ontological Outline for Ecocentric Theorising. Journal of Cleaner Production, 113. pp. 705-714. ISSN 0959-6526
Abstract
As a response to anthropogenic ecological problems, a group of organisation scholars have acknowledged the importance of ecocentric theorising that takes materiality and non-human objects seriously. The purpose of this article is to examine the philosophical basis of cocentric organisation studies and develop an ontological outline for ecocentric theorising in the Anthropocene. The paper identifies the central premises of ecocentric organisations from the previous literature, and complements the theory with a set of ontological qualities common to all objects. The study draws on recent advances in object-oriented and ecological philosophies to present three essential qualities of objects, namely autonomy, uniqueness, and intrinsicality. The paper discusses how these qualities are critical in reclaiming the lost credibility and practical relevance of ecocentrism in both organisational theory and the sustainability sciences in general. To organise human activities in a sustainable manner in the new geological era, a new ontology is needed that not only includes materiality and non-humans in the analysis, but also leads to an ecologically and ethically broader understanding of ecospheric beings and their relationships.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015, Elsevier. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Journal of Cleaner Production. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | ecocentric; ecological practice; ontology; Anthropocene |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 07 Jan 2016 10:39 |
Last Modified: | 03 Jan 2017 18:12 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.016 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.016 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:93342 |