17
© The Author(s) 2020
T. Mino, S. Kudo (eds.), Framing in Sustainability Science,
Science for Sustainable Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9061-6_2
Chapter 2
Theoretical and Methodological Pluralism
in Sustainability Science
Anne Jerneck and Lennart Olsson
Abstract Sustainability science is an integrative scientific field embracing not only
complementary but also contradictory approaches and perspectives for dealing with
an array of sustainability challenges.
In this chapter we distinguish between pluralism and unification as two main and
distinctly different approaches to knowledge integration in sustainability science.
To avoid environmental determinism, functionalism, or overly firm reliance on
rational choice theory, we have reason to promote pluralism as a way to better tackle
sustainability challenges. In particular we emphasise two main benefits of taking a
pluralist approach in research: it opens up for collaboration, and ensures a more
theoretically informed understanding of society.
After a brief introduction to how we interpret the field of sustainability science,
we discuss ontology, epistemology and ways of understanding society based on
social science theory. We make three contributions. First, we identify important
reasons for the incommensurability between the social and natural sciences, and
propose remedies for how to overcome some of the difficulties in integrative
research. Second, by suggesting a frame that we call ‘social fields and natural systems’ we show how sustainability science will benefit from drawing more profoundly on – and thus more adequately incorporate – a social science understanding
of society. As such, the frame is a foundation for pluralism. Third, by suggesting a
new theoretical typology, we show how sustainability visions and pathways are
associated with particular theoretical and methodological perspectives in geography, political science, and sociology; and how that matters for research and politics
addressing sustainability challenges. The typology can be used as a thinking tool to
frame and reframe research.
Keywords Incommensurability · Knowledge integration · Social fields · Social
change · Unification
A. Jerneck · L. Olsson (*)
Lund University, Lund, Sweden
e-mail: lennart.olsson@lucsus.lu.se
© The Author(s) 2020
T. Mino, S. Kudo (eds.), Framing in Sustainability Science,
Science for Sustainable Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9061-6_2
Chapter 2
Theoretical and Methodological Pluralism
in Sustainability Science
Anne Jerneck and Lennart Olsson
Abstract Sustainability science is an integrative scientific field embracing not only
complementary but also contradictory approaches and perspectives for dealing with
an array of sustainability challenges.
In this chapter we distinguish between pluralism and unification as two main and
distinctly different approaches to knowledge integration in sustainability science.
To avoid environmental determinism, functionalism, or overly firm reliance on
rational choice theory, we have reason to promote pluralism as a way to better tackle
sustainability challenges. In particular we emphasise two main benefits of taking a
pluralist approach in research: it opens up for collaboration, and ensures a more
theoretically informed understanding of society.
After a brief introduction to how we interpret the field of sustainability science,
we discuss ontology, epistemology and ways of understanding society based on
social science theory. We make three contributions. First, we identify important
reasons for the incommensurability between the social and natural sciences, and
propose remedies for how to overcome some of the difficulties in integrative
research. Second, by suggesting a frame that we call ‘social fields and natural systems’ we show how sustainability science will benefit from drawing more profoundly on – and thus more adequately incorporate – a social science understanding
of society. As such, the frame is a foundation for pluralism. Third, by suggesting a
new theoretical typology, we show how sustainability visions and pathways are
associated with particular theoretical and methodological perspectives in geography, political science, and sociology; and how that matters for research and politics
addressing sustainability challenges. The typology can be used as a thinking tool to
frame and reframe research.
Keywords Incommensurability · Knowledge integration · Social fields · Social
change · Unification
A. Jerneck · L. Olsson (*)
Lund University, Lund, Sweden
e-mail: lennart.olsson@lucsus.lu.se