Tools
Tools
Hargreaves, T. 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3764-7364
(2012)
Questioning the virtues of pro-environmental behaviour research:Towards a phronetic approach.
Geoforum, 43 (2).
pp. 315-324.
ISSN 0016-7185
Abstract
Drawing on Flyvbjerg's (2001) call for the development of phronetic social science, this paper argues that much current research into pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) is misguided, and even potentially dangerous. After outlining Flyvbjerg's argument, it reviews existing work on PEB and argues that, to date, it has predominantly sought after the Aristotelian intellectual virtues of either episteme or techne, and has neglected phronesis which Aristotle himself saw as most important. It then explores the ways in which aspects of a phronetic approach are being developed in cultural geography and environmental sociology, before offering a brief empirical case study of a PEB-change initiative to illustrate what a phronetic approach to research might look like. It concludes by calling for an improved and more reflexive dialogue between PEB researchers regarding the purpose and approach of their work, both in order to improve the relevance and impact of their research, and in order to help individuals and communities understand and confront the significant environmental challenges they currently face.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE) Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Science, Society and Sustainability Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Resources, Sustainability and Governance (former - to 2018) Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Climate, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (former - to 2017) Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Environmental Social Sciences |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | Pure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Jun 2014 21:16 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Mar 2023 12:37 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/48484 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.geoforum.2011.09.006 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |