333 research outputs found

    Simulation experiences with an ecological approach for pervasive service systems

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    Self-Organising Approaches to Coordination

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    \u3cem\u3eWork\u3c/em\u3e 2005/2006

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    WORK is an annual publication of the Department of Architecture that documents student work in design studios and courses in the Master of Architecture and Post-Professional programs, as well as events, faculty news and student awards. It also includes abstracts of PhD dissertations defended that year. It provides an opportunity to explore the creative work of our students and is a permanent record of work in the Department

    The relevance of the creative process of design in leadership competencies for sustainable city transitions

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    A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Sustainable and Energy Efficient Cities)In order to address the challenge of leadership for sustainable city transitions, the creative process of design used by architects and the methods used by leaders were investigated. This was done in order to determine the extent of common ground and to shed light on whether the architectural creative process and the associated skills, competencies and attributes can inform the process of leadership. These processes were investigated within the framework of the four stages of the creative process - preparation, incubation, illumination and verification stages - backcasting and phenomenology, which also constituted a theoretical basis of the study. To address the primary data requirements of the study, semi-structured interviews with an architect, a business and a sustainability leader were conducted. Secondary data were collected from writings and interviews of architects and biographies of leaders, together with other published material pertaining to leadership in the sustainable city arena. Data were then analysed based on critical attributes related to the creativity process in relation to leadership. The key findings are that architects follow a specific design methodology, there is no explicit reference to the creative process in their explanations of their design process and their creative process correlates with the creative process as determined in psychology and neuroscience and as experienced phenomenologically. There are similarities in the manner in which architects and leaders envision new solutions, even though their methodologies are not the same. The study concludes that architects and leaders experience the process of creating and pursuing their visions similarly but they manifest differently across the two domains. The findings and conclusions suggest that the well-developed methods used by architects could have relevance in the practice of leadership towards sustainable cities. These methods could be adapted towards developing leadership competencies in transioning cities to the sustainable city of the future. Key words: architects’ design process, creative process stages, leadership, sustainable city transitions, backcasting, phenomenologyGR201

    Sociobiology, universal Darwinism and their transcendence: An investigation of the history, philosophy and critique of Darwinian paradigms, especially gene-Darwinism, process-Darwinism, and their types of reductionism towards a theory of the evolution of evolutionary processes, evolutionary freedom and ecological idealism

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    Based on a review of different Darwinian paradigms, particularly sociobiology, this work, both, historically and philosophically, develops a metaphysic of gene-Darwinism and process-Darwinism, and then criticises and transcends these Darwinian paradigms in order to achieve a truly evolutionary theory of evolution. Part I introduces essential aspects of current sociobiology as the original challenge to this investigation. The claim of some sociobiologists that ethics should become biologized in a gene-egoistic way, is shown to be tied to certain biological views, which ethically lead to problematic results. In part II a historical investigation into sociobiology and Darwinism in general provides us, as historical epistemology', with a deeper understanding of the structure and background of these approaches. Gene-Darwinism, which presently dominates sociobiology and is linked to Dawkins' selfish gene view of evolution, is compared to Darwin's Darwinism and the evolutionary' synthesis and becomes defined more strictly. An account of the external history of Darwinism and its subparadigms shows how cultural intellectual presuppositions, like Malthusianism or the Newtonian concept of the unchangeable laws of nature, also influenced biological theory' construction. In part III universal 'process-Darwinism' is elaborated based on the historical interaction of Darwinism with non-biological subject areas. Building blocks for this are found in psychology, the theory of science and economics. Additionally, a metaphysical argument for the universality of process- Darwinism, linked to Hume's and Popper's problem of induction, is proposed. In part IV gene-Darwinism and process-Darwinism are criticised. Gene-Darwinism—despite its merits—is challenged as being one-sided in advocating 'gene-atomism', 'germ-line reductionism' and 'process-monism'. My alternative proposals develop and try to unify different criticisms often found. In respect of gene-atomism I advocate a many-level approach, opposing the necessary radical selfishness of single genes. I develop the concept of higher-level genes, propose a concept of systemic selection, which may stabilise group properties, without relying on permanent group selection and extend the applicability of a certain group selectionist model generally to small open groups. Proposals of mine linked to the critique of germ-line reductionism are: 'exformation', phenotypes as evolutionary factors and a field theoretic understanding of causa formalis (resembling Aristotelian hylemorphism). Finally the process-monism of gene-Darwinism, process-Darwinism and, if defined strictly, Darwinism in general is criticised. 1 argue that our ontology and ethics would be improved by replacing the Newtoman-Paleyian deist metaphor of an eternal and unchangeable law of nature, which lies at tire very heart of Darwinism, by a truly evolutionary understanding of evolution where new processes may gain a certain autonomy. All this results in a view that I call 'ecological idealism', which, although still very much based on Darwinism, clearly transcends a Darwinian world view

    A watershed moment: care for the church and Earth's waters

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    We live in a watershed moment for the planet and for the church. A threatening planetary water crisis asks now for a strong church response. Ascension Lutheran Church of South Burlington, Vermont, engaged in water-focused activities, education, and worship to respond faithfully to God’s call to care for Earth and its water. In so doing, the church developed a potential model for watershed stewardship that enhances a congregation’s discipleship, spreads the vision of creation care through watershed stewardship, and offers practical guidance for churches and judicatories. This project, and other national and international water stewardship projects, offer insight into Christian leadership and education for water care. Relevant Christian theological resources and transformational educational and leadership studies grounded the project. Among recent Christian calls for action is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Resolution Urging Stewardship of the Gift of Water, passed at the 2016 Churchwide Assembly (Appendix IX). Further, Lutheran theologians, among other Christian theologians, have proposed insights into the sacredness of creation that undergird effective congregational watershed action. Their reformulated theology, plus transformational leadership and education theories, helpfully ground planning for congregational learning and action and were applied to Ascension’s watershed project. Caring for water orients a congregation in a new and deep way to its social, cultural, and ecological community, while also positioning it to develop supportive ties to other congregations and groups in the area to foster watershed health. When a congregation cares for its local watershed, it potentially promotes awareness and action to ameliorate worldwide water justice issues, including climate change and the feminization of poverty, both of which reflect and create water justice issues. A watershed discipleship church faithfully responds in our time to Jesus’ timeless words, “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink [Matt.25:35].

    Ecology, culture and cognition: a text book on the principles of environmental design

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    [This] study aims to explore the notion that human achievements, i.e., cultural, technological, architectural, etc., are an outcome of the interaction between ecology, culture and cognitive structure. Such interaction is thought to set out a condition of stability, compatibility and fitness which characterises various vernacular cultures. These notions ought to be investigated and hence utilised in design ideas and design processes. To illustrate the various aspects of this interaction, the thesis has adopted a holistic view which incorporates many elements that underly the environmental phenomena; its structure, its laws of evolution and its adaptive processes. The following is a brief summary of each chapter of the thesis.Chapter One: In any design research it is more important to arrive at appropriate identification of a problem before being preoccupied with 'assumptions' to solve that problem on the basis of its 'external' appearance. Each environment has a specific structure which accommodates in a certain pattern its various components such as the social boundaries of interaction, the particular physical structure, building patterns, behaviour, mode of thought, economic system and so on. It is only by tracing the history of development of each of these components within this structure that a solution can be fitting and relevant.The chapter reviews some problems and controversies raised by adopting a misfit technology and its implication on various cultures as well as on Architecture.Chapter Two: This chapter suggests a general theoretical framework which rejects the harmful and unifying effects of those 'fragmented' approaches within design disciplines. In fact they came as an outcome of the passion for misfit technologies, the non - environmental views of culture and ideologies normally associated with them. It is hence the interplay of the three elements of Ecology, Culture and Cognition that result in architectural quality most fit to its context. The objectives of such a framework are: the protection of the natural ecosystems and their manifestations in design; the establishment of a self - sustaining way of life; and finally, setting policies that give priority to bettering the ecological qualities as a basis for improving other aspects.Chapter Three: In this chapter a broadening perspective is introduced to define ecology according to its concerns for the conditions and interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organism in a certain setting. The perspective includes culture as well as the other biological and physical factors on the basis of considering culture as a manifestation of man's adaptation to that setting. It is very important to consider the role of ecology in differentiating various societies; their cultures and architectural forms.Chapter Four: The second element, culture, according to the school of cultural- ecology, is made up of the modes of thought, the ideologies, energy systems, artifacts, the organisation of social relations, norms and beliefs and the total range of customary behaviour, all of which have been influenced by the physical setting. The concept of 'cultural core', introduced by J. Steward, is adopted for its importance in distinguishing cultural features in terms of their physical belonging. It helps, hence, to advocate solutions more fitting to their 'authentic context' in the face of the bustling, overlapping and usually more abstract cultural features of the external phase (secondary features).Chapter Five: Knowledge is the central element in design, and cognition has been defined as the activity of knowing: the acquisition, organisation, and use of knowledge. The human cognitive structure selects and interprets environmental information in the construction of its own knowledge, rather than passively copying the information. The mind does this to make the environment 'then' fit in with its own existing mental framework.Chapter Six: Because man and nature form two elements in one system, man has accumulated a profound knowledge of the various elements in nature including natural materials. This knowledge is x embeded so deeply in his psychological structure that his innate disposition towards natural elements has been extended to include all interactional modes, subsystems and visual structures which they initiate.The concept of schemata was introduced within cognitive psychology to explain some controversial issues in the field of accepting, restoring and processing information. Schema is defined generally as a data structure for representing the generic concepts stored in memory. There are schemata representing our knowledge about events, actions, objects, etc. They also contain the network of interrelations between these concepts. It has been suggested that the source of this knowledge which schema represents comes from one of two resources; 1) immediate information of the physical objects, 2) the innate and stored knowledge in the human mind. Both resources, however, can provide information to what the study calls experiential schemata.The important contribution the study offers is the concept of the cosmocognitive schemata. They are the schemata that represent the point where both organism and the universe meet and represent, man's extension in space and time. With these schemata we can explain many phenomena in which people of totally different cultures, different experiential schemata, respond and react similarly. In other words, the various authentic capacities of objects, their various properties and potential dispositions towards interactions are all taking precedence in the organism's neural system.The concluding notion of this important chapter is that man has been vividly and maybe unself- consciously utilising the 'cosmocognitive' knowledge in the adaptational processes, blended with activities of the experiential knowledge, in the elaboration of the various architectural forms and patterns. Therefore, it is suggested that it is extremely important to establish a theory of environmental quality based on cognitive knowledge.Chapter Seven and Chapter Eight: In these two chapters, the study introduces the most influential factors which define the ecological setting in general. These factors are considered as being the permanent constructs of human cognitive knowledge and hence have to be well studied before making any decision concerning the nature of the design solution proposed to any society.Chapter Nine: It is suggested that the influence of ecology and nature on human beings takes place and is utilised over long processes of adaptation. The mechanism and other elements of these processes are explicitly demonstrated through a model that the study elaborates. The main idea this model presents is that man, during the emergence of his settlement, initially responds to nature and the physical properties of that setting. He first develops prototypical patterns to embody their impact, according to which he then develops his social and behavioural patterns. Out of the interaction of these components and their various elements, and by reference to his experiential and innate knowledge, he then establishes his traditional culture of which architectural phenomena is the most conspicuous feature.Chapter Ten: Beyond the aesthetic values of architecture: decorative form and ornaments, and beyond the persistance of architectural pattern and activity types lie empirical, structural, functional and practical principles. The basic aim of arriving at a concrete understanding of what underlies the aesthetic characteristics is that once such an understanding becomes possible, designers would be able to manipulate their design ideas following the same principles of authenticity and purposefulness rather than attempting further implication or inventing more fantasies.The title implies that material's authentic properties, architectural and structural elements and activities have cognitive values which are represented in certain characteristics. And it is these values that a designer whould, in fact, search for, if satisfying people's real preferences is one of his interests.Chapter Eleven: The outcome of the interaction between ecological /cultural variables and cognitive structure consists of several components. These have to be carefully matched in setting design criteria within any context: They can be referred to in any judgement over the fitness and appropriateness of any design idea in hand

    The Greening of Faith: God, the Environment, and the Good Life (20th Anniversary Edition)

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    The recent release of Pope Francis’s much-discussed encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, has reinforced environmental issues as also moral and spiritual issues. This anthology, twenty years ahead of the encyclical but very much in line with its agenda, offers essays by fifteen philosophers, theologians, and environmentalists who argue for a response to ecology that recognizes the tools of science but includes a more spiritual approach—one with a more humanistic, holistic view based on inherent reverence toward the natural world. Writers whose orientations range from Buddhism to evangelical Christianity to Catholicism to Native American beliefs explore ways to achieve this paradigm shift and suggest that “the environment is not only a spiritual issue, but the spiritual issue of our time.”https://scholars.unh.edu/unh_press/1003/thumbnail.jp

    A Philosophical Analysis of Chet Bowers’ Ethical Theory of EcoJustice: Shifting towards Uncertainty Thinking in Science Education

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    The purpose of this study is to analyze Chet Bowers’ ethical theory of ecojustice as the basis of an ecological philosophy of education that recognizes Earth’s uncertainty. Bowers’ main thesis is that the commons, or what were once shared by members of the community, should be strengthened by education reforms based on ecojustice criteria. He argues for certain ideologies of the local authority of the commons, “Western” science and scientists, and the “ecological crisis.” I argue that these certainties are uncertain, which justifies part certainty as deciphered by local people in places, in relation to others. Further, I develop a theory of ecological pragmatism, or thinking with uncertainty, grounded by the classical American pragmatist theory of John Dewey and other scholars. My expectation is to empower science teachers and their students to become informed, and share some of the responsibility for participating in local decisions as stakeholders and advocates for local communities, cultural diversity, and Earth’s diverse ecosystems
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