Synopses & Reviews
How Nature Speaks illustrates the convergence of complexity theory in the biophysical and social sciences and the implications of the science of complexity for environmental politics and practice. This collection of essays focuses on uncertainty, surprise, and positionalityandmdash;situated rather than absolute knowledgeandmdash;in studies of nature by people embedded within the very thing they purport to study from the outside. The contributors address the complicated relationship between scientists and nature as part of a broader reassessment of how we conceive of ourselves, knowledge, and the world that we both inhabit and shape.
Exploring ways of conceiving the complexity and multiplicity of humansandrsquo; many interactive relationships with the environment, the contributors provide in-depth case studies of the interweaving of culture and nature in socio-historical processes. The case studies focus on the origin of environmental movements, the politicization of environmental issues in city politics, the development of a local energy production system, and the convergence of forest management practices toward a dominant scheme. They are supported by explorations of big-picture issues: recurring themes in studies of social and environmental dynamics, the difficulties of deliberative democracy, and the potential gains for socio-ecological research offered by developmental systems theory and Pierre Bourdieuandrsquo;s theory of intentionality.
How Nature Speaks includes a helpful primer, andldquo;On Thinking Dynamically about the Human Ecological Condition,andrdquo; which explains the basic principles of complexity and nonlinear thinking.
Contributors. Chuck Dyke, Yrjandouml; Haila, Ari Jokinen, Ville Landauml;hde, Markus Laine, Iordanis Marcoulatos, John Oandrsquo;Neill, Susan Oyama, Taru Peltola, Lasse Peltonen, John Shotter, Peter Taylor
Review
andldquo;What? Another book on ecology and how we are messing up the world? Is this book really necessary? This is not just another book on ecology. It is a book about how to think about ecology. Philosophical explorations, metaphorical musings, case histories of community action seen in the light of systems dynamics, and mathematical exposition of non-linear dynamics in clear intuitive terms all converge to help us see the richness of ecology as the paradigmatic science for understanding complexity. And yes, this book is necessary.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;How to make nature speak? Whoever thought that the gravity of the current ecological problems leaves us no choice but to try and manage nature as best as we can is well advised to read this book. This fine collection gives us profound insights into the complex ways in which nature and the social are interwoven. Nature is not out there; it is present in every category we use to try and understand our environment. A product of years of scholarship, this is a welcome contribution to the literature.andrdquo;
Review
“How Nature Speaks makes a valuable contribution in an area where such theoretical ‘deeper’ thinking is needed.” David J. Brunckhorst, Environmental Conservation
Review
andldquo;The strength of the collection lies in the contributorsandrsquo; creative and exploratory applications of scientific models in complexity and non-linear thinking to social movements and political debate.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;This is not just another book on ecology! It is a book that makes the reader contemplate the most appropriate way to think about ecology.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;How Nature Speaks makes a valuable contribution in an area where such theoretical andlsquo;deeperandrsquo; thinking is needed.andrdquo;
Synopsis
Groundbreaking collection contends that humans must establish communication with the rest of nature and a mutually nurturing relationship that builds on nature’s presence in all human practices.
About the Author
“How to make nature speak? Whoever thought that the gravity of the current ecological problems leaves us no choice but to try and manage nature as best as we can is well advised to read this book. This fine collection gives us profound insights into the complex ways in which nature and the social are interwoven. Nature is not out there; it is present in every category we use to try and understand our environment. A product of years of scholarship, this is a welcome contribution to the literature.”—Maarten Hajer, University of Amsterdam“What? Another book on ecology and how we are messing up the world? Is this book really necessary? This is not just another book on ecology. It is a book about how to think about ecology. Philosophical explorations, metaphorical musings, case histories of community action seen in the light of systems dynamics, and mathematical exposition of non-linear dynamics in clear intuitive terms all converge to help us see the richness of ecology as the paradigmatic science for understanding complexity. And yes, this book is necessary.”—Richard Levins, Harvard University
Table of Contents
Preface vii
ntroduction: What to Say about Natureandrsquo;s andldquo;Speechandrdquo; / Yrjo Haila and Chuck Dyke 1
Speaking of Nature / Susan Oyama 49
Natural Speech: A Hoary Story / Chuck Dyke 66
Gardens, Climate Changes, and Cultures: An Exploration into the Historical Nature of Environmental Problems / Ville Landauml;hde 78
Participative Thinking: andldquo;Seeing the Faceandrdquo; and andldquo;Hearing the Voiceandrdquo; of Nature / John Shotter 106
Rethinking Intentionality: A Bourdieuian Perspective/ Iordanis Marcoulatos 127
Fluids on the Move: An Analogical Account of Environmental Mobilization / Lasse Peltonen 150
Fight Over the Face of Tampere: A Sneaking Transformation of a Local Political Field / Markus Laine 177
Stand/ardization and Entrainment in Forest Management / Ari Jokinen 198
Calculating the Futures: Stability and Change in a Local Energy Production System / Taru Peltola 218
Exploring Themes about Social Agency through Interpretation of Diagrams of Nature and Society / Peter Taylor 235
Who Speaks for Nature? / John Oandrsquo;Neill 261
Appendix: Primer: On Thinking Dynamically about the Human Ecological Condition / Chuck Dyke 279
References 303
Notes on Contributors 323
Index 325