In the face of complex, interwoven, planet-scale problems, many cite the need for more integrated knowledgeespecially across the natural and social sciences. Excessive specialization, they argue, gets in the way of knowing what we know, much less being able to use it to address urgent socio-environmental crises. These concerns, it turns out, go back centuries. This book picks up where most leave off, exploring the history of how we got here and proposing a way forward. Along the way, readers find that the synthesis long called for depends on theoretical advancements in social science. Fortunately, the author argues, we have everything we need to achieve those advancements, thanks largely to the contributions of Norbert Elias. Integrating his insights with history, science, sociological theory, and more, this book neatly packages the upgraded paradigm we need to be able to meaningfully address complex socio-environmental problems and more intentionally shape humanity's collective future.

Assembles existing knowledge in the environmental and social sciences to generate a science-based, integrated, accessible, and actionable theoretical framework for socio-environmental studies Overcomes dualistic tendencies in conventional worldviews, such as humans and nature, individual and society, and the like Facilitates interdisciplinary communication and collaboration among those seeking to understand and address complex socio-environmental issues Outlines a general theory of social change

Autorentext

Debbie V.S. Kasper is a sociologist and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Hiram College, in northeast Ohio. She specializes in sociological theory, environmental sociology, community resilience, and social change and teaches a wide variety of courses related to these themes.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Chapter 1: The Crisis of the Librarian.- Chapter 2: Moving Toward Synthesis.- Chapter 3: A Science of Human Social Life? Present State, Future Prospects .- Chapter 4: Mapping the Territory.- Chapter 5: The Medium of Human Social Life.- Chapter 6: The Human Condition.- Chapter 7: Second Nature.- Chapter 8: Actions and Reactions.- Chapter 9: The Only Constant.- Conclusion: Insights, Applications, and Possibilities.