Browsing by Author "Helenius, Leena"

The purpose of this Master's thesis is to examine and analyse contradictions typical to many environmental questions and to bring forth the thinking underlying them. The thesis explores how the contradictions are perceived and examines them with the concept of paradigm. Paradigm is defined as a mental model through which the world is seen. Two specific paradigms, exclusive and inclusive paradigm, are identified and conceptualised in environmental thinking and analysed via two case-studies. The aim is to improve understanding of environmental contradictions and conflicts and to find ways to tackle them with paradigmatic level of thinking. The objectives of the thesis are first, to develop theoretical tools to ease comprehensive understanding of contradictions, and second, to enable examination of dichotomies and polarized juxtapositions. The research approach is holistic, and the analytical process applies philosophical methods of problematization, explication and argumentation. Other methodological tools utilized include hermeneutic thinking and abductive reasoning. The case-studies in focus are the human perception of inclusion with nature and the human-wolf conflict in Finland. In the human-wolf conflict case-study content analysis is also applied. The thesis first presents the concepts of opposite and contradiction and examines how they are approached in the Western philosophical tradition. The special focus is on the differences between the logics and the dialectics traditions regarding exclusive and inclusive thinking. The logical laws of non-contradiction and excluded middle and dialectical thinking are the key elements of the theoretical framework. Based on these elements two cognitive models are built: a) a seven-point model that describes the process of neutral opposites turning to problematic contradictions, and b) a four-field sub-paradigm model, which enables examination of contradictions via four different sub-paradigms (atomistic dualism, atomistic pluralism, holistic dualism and holistic pluralism). The models are applied to the two case-studies. The first case-study of human perception of inclusion with nature deals with the human-nature relationship, i.e. to what extent human is perceived to be a part of nature or separate of it. The seven-point model shows how human and nature are separated from each other and perceived as polar opposites at conceptual level in Western thinking. The sub-paradigm model illustrates four alternative ways, exclusive and inclusive, to see the human-nature relationship. In conclusion, juxtaposition of human and nature is shown to result from logical misconception combined with exclusive thinking. Instead of being detached from nature, human is fully dependent on it. The second case-study of the human-wolf conflict in Finland is a classic wicked problem: a complex, multi-stakeholder issue, solving of which requires holistic understanding. The human-wolf conflict is examined utilising both previous academic literature and news and magazine articles on the case. The purpose of this case-study is to offer an illustrative example and to show in a more concrete way the significance of inclusive and exclusive paradigm to the understanding of such environmental conflicts. It is suggested that the polarized situation of the human-wolf conflict could be unraveled by applying the models built in this thesis. Specifically, the inclusive paradigm could have a central role in resolving the conflict. The last section of the thesis discusses why it is important to distinguish what kind of contradiction is at hand and what kind of paradigms they are seen through: paradigms always shape the way the contradictions are seen. It's important to recognise the situations where the two different paradigms should be used. Inclusive paradigm suits to seeking comprehensive understanding to complex problems. Exclusive paradigm on the other hand can help with concrete solutions and decisions. Inclusive and exclusive paradigms themselves form contrary opposites, and should therefore be understood dialectically. The thesis introduces a concept of meta-dialectics emphasising balanced application of the two paradigms in a case- and context-specific manner. Further research could include applications of the models built in this thesis to different environmental cases, investigating in further detail what kind of issues and conflicts would need more inclusive or exclusive thinking. Finally, further development of comprehensive and holistic research methodologies would be highly needed in our increasingly complex world.