The discursive nature of nature: towards a post-modern concept of nature
Abstract
Starting from post-modern discourse theory this paper elaborates a post-modern account of nature that differs fundamentally from the traditional essentialist concept of nature. Given the post-modern premise that there is nothing outside of discourse, it is argued that post-modern discourse theory can be applied to the conceptualization of nature. Based on the Foucaultian notion of the omnipresence of power, nature as a discursive concept is a product of power relations. The discourse of nature is a discourse of power where the constellations of power determine the construction of nature. The second part examines three key objections raised against a discursive concept of nature. According to the objection of solipsism, a discursive account implies the rejection of the material existence of nature. The objection of relativism holds that a discursive concept leads to relativism because of the impossibility of choosing between adequate and inadequate constructions of nature. With regard to the objection of idealism it is argued that the notion of a social construction of nature implies that a discourse would actually create what it constructs. In a critical discussion of these objections it is argued that they are based on a misconception of a discursive account of nature.
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It is impossible to access reality directly in an objective and neutral way, as the perception of reality always takes place within a discursive framework.
“From a discourse theoretical standpoint, it is impossible to access reality directly in an objective and neutral way, as the perception of reality always takes place within a discursive framework (Dingler, 2005).”
From What Is Driving the Water-Energy-Food Nexus? Discourses, Knowledge, and Politics of an Emerging Resource Governance Concept (2018) · cites this paper as Dingler, 2005
Social and natural phenomena can only be observed, perceived, and interpreted through language, texts, and within discourses.
“A discourse theoretical perspective emphasizes that social and natural phenomena can only be observed, perceived, and interpreted through language, texts, and within discourses (Dingler, 2005).”
From What Is Driving the Water-Energy-Food Nexus? Discourses, Knowledge, and Politics of an Emerging Resource Governance Concept (2018) · cites this paper as Dingler, 2005
Particular environmental accounts and forms of knowledge are established as dominant and more legitimate by exercising power within discourses.
“According to discourse theory, particular environmental accounts and forms of knowledge are established as dominant and more legitimate by exercising power within discourses (Dingler, 2005).”
From What Is Driving the Water-Energy-Food Nexus? Discourses, Knowledge, and Politics of an Emerging Resource Governance Concept (2018) · cites this paper as Dingler, 2005
Nature and society are predominantly conceptualized as two distinctly separate spheres (Cartesian dualism) in the dominant nexus approach.
“Nature and society are predominantly conceptualized as two distinctly separate spheres; an approach which is often referred to as Cartesian dualism (Dingler, 2005).”
From What Is Driving the Water-Energy-Food Nexus? Discourses, Knowledge, and Politics of an Emerging Resource Governance Concept (2018) · cites this paper as Dingler, 2005
The leading nexus discourse establishes and maintains its leading position by exercising power in various ways.
“Instead, it establishes and maintains its leading position by exercising power in various ways (Dingler, 2005).”
From What Is Driving the Water-Energy-Food Nexus? Discourses, Knowledge, and Politics of an Emerging Resource Governance Concept (2018) · cites this paper as Dingler, 2005
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Does discourse matter? Discourse analysis in environmental policy making
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“From a discourse theoretical standpoint, it is impossible to access reality directly in an objective and neutral way, as the perception of reality always takes place within a discursive framework (Dingler, 2005).”
BackgroundInfluential
- Authors
- Dingler, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Konstanz (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Dingler, Johannes
- Venue
- Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2005-09
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 209-225
- ISSN
- 1522-7200 (ISSN-L)
- 1523-908X
- OpenAlex
- W1987080179
- Cited by
- 44
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 4.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Foucault, Power, and Ethics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
- Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Posthumanist Ethics and Activism
- Keywords
- power relations, Michel Foucault, social construction of nature, essentialism, solipsism, relativism, idealism, nature discourse
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