Futures, nature and common[ing] sense

Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhDPrometeo Researcher IAEN

Wednesday, April 9 2014Yale University

Futures, Nature and Common[ing] sense

in Ecuador

Nicholas Anastasopoulos PhD,Prometeo Researcher IAEN

a multi-disciplinary research project by Nicholas Anastassopoulos, PhD Prometeo Researcher at IAEN, Ecuador in collaboration with 1. FLOK Society Research group/Quito 2. Dr A Espinosa, Reader, Centre of Systems Studies, Hull University Business School, England, UK / Profesora Adjunta, Facultad de Administracion, Universidad de Los Andes and Dr Jon Walker,Independent Researcher, Laurel Bank Associates, Bogota, Colombia 3. Lucia Gallardo, ICREA, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 4. Dr Penny Travlou, Lecturer in Cultural Geography & Theory, School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh and5. Chris Hebdon, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.


Redefining sustainability, resilience and Buen Vivir in a cooperative and commons-based economy context: Theory and implementation / Redefiniendo la sostenibilidad, resiliencia y Buen Vivir en el contexto de una economía cooperativa y basada en el procomún: Teoría e implementación.

Common[ing] senseand Common[ing] sense,Futures Naturein Ecuador

Futures


Futures


We live in a symbiotic universe of infinite interdependencies. The future (in plural as futures) implies an array of possibilities and a sense of responsibility also.

Futures

,


Nature

,


Nature is not outside of man and man is not outside of nature.Drawing from systems theories we can perceive nature, and the planet itself as a system.

A sustainable system is a system which has highly developed sensing mechanisms and functions, which, taking the cue from input provided by those sensing mechanisms, may adjust to external changes accordingly, in order to maintain a relatively stable internal condition.

Human civilizations may be interpreted as systems as well. Civilizations which ignore input by sensing mechanisms or have defective mechanisms alerting them poorly, are in trouble.

Futures Nature

and s


CommonPhysical Commons and immaterial commons

Local commons and global commons

Futures Nature,

Common[ing] senseand Common[ing] sense,


Common sense refers to our instinctual understanding and judgment of a particular situation. It is a sensing mechanism, essential in a healthy system.

Futures Nature


Commoning is relatively new as a term. It implies an active involvement of the subject. It also implies an organized multitude of subjects, working collectively and not as singular entities. Commoning also implies a different societal ethos.

Common[ing] senseand Common[ing] sense,Futures Nature

in Ecuador


Ecuador has introduced in its constitution the radical Rights to Nature and the Buen Vivir /Sumak Kawsay concepts.

FLOK Society is a research project current in development in Ecuador, which researches and prepares policy papers with recommendations for a transition into a social knowledge-based economy for various facets of society’s activities. In that respect, through FLOK Ecuador is preparing to introduce a Commoning sense. This is not easy. It is a transition that doesn’t take place in a vacuum, but in a volatile and ever changing global environment which is unpredictable and to a large extent geared towards unsustainable development, and other non-compatible practices.

Common[ing] senseand Common[ing] sense,Futures Nature


References

Acosta, Alberto. 2013. El buen vivir: Sumak Kawsay, una oportunidad para imaginar otro mundo. Barcelona: Icaria.

Birkeland, Janis. 2002. Design for Sustainability a Sourcebook of Integrated, Eco-logical Solutions. London; Sterling, VA: Earthscan Publications.

Blackburn, William R, and Environmental Law Institute. 2007. The Sustainability Handbook: The Complete Management Guide to Achieving Social, Economic, and Environmental Responsibility. Washington D.C.: Environmental Law Institute.

Bossel, Hartmut. 2007. Systems and Models: Complexity, Dynamics, Evolution, Sustainability. Norderstedt: Books on Demand.

Edwards, Andres R. 2010. Thriving Beyond Sustainability: Pathways to a Resilient Society. Gabriola Island, B.C.: New Society Publishers.

Espinosa, Angela. 2011. A Complexity Approach to Sustainability: Theory and Application. London: Imperial College Press ; Hackensack, NJ. 

Fiksel, Joseph. 2006. “Sustainability and Resilience: Toward a Systems Approach.” Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy 2(2) (September 20): 14–21.

Gallopín, Gilberto. 2003. A Systems Approach to Sustainability and Sustainable Development. United Nations Publications.

Gudynas, Eduardo, and Alberto Acosta. 2012. “La Renovación de La Crítica Al Desarrollo y El Buen Vivir Como Alternativa.” The Journal of Sustainability Education (March 19, 2012). http://www.jsedimensions.org/wordpress/tags/buen-vivir/.

Herranz Fanjul, Natalia. 2012. Manual del buen vivir: guia practica de organizacion para mejorar la calidad de vida y disfrutarla con estilo. Mexico, D. F.: Ediciones Urano.

Meadows, Donella H, and Diana Wright. 2008. Thinking in Systems: a Primer. White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green Pub.

Miller, John H, and Scott E Page. 2007. Complex Adaptive Systems. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Norton, Bryan G. 2005. Sustainability: a Philosophy of Adaptive Ecosystem Management [...] [...]. Chicago [u.a.: Univ. of Chicago Press.

Ramírez, René. 2011. “New Left Project | Articles | Seeds of ‘Good Living’ in Ecuador?” June 16. http://www.newleftproject.org/index.php/site/article_comments/good_living_in_rafael_correas_ecuador#.UjagWftQOmk.facebook.

Sawyer, R. Keith. 2005. Social Emergence: Societies As Complex Systems. Cambridge University Press.


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Futures, nature and common[ing] sense

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