Abstract
The main objective of this work is to foster long-term and regenerative perspectives on global sustainability. In pursuing this goal, this study encompasses a critical analysis and synthesis of insights from the fields of systems and resilience thinking, a conceptual framework for modeling and envisioning socio-ecological systems, and the proposition of the “flourishing within boundaries” archetype, which is conceived to provide meaningful insights regarding the essential conditions that would enable global society to flourish not just safely but also fairly. Through systems dynamics modeling, portrayed scenarios emphasize that the higher the regenerative societal change achieved, the greater the exponential behavior of the system’s speed towards promising socio-ecological outcomes. Especially for longer time horizons, the overall results reveal that the pace of the transitions associated with the societal action is inherently higher than those associated with the limiting social and ecological factors. Actions taken by individuals in the local realm and short-term time horizon may not only have immediate local effects but also a variety of innumerous ones that radiate out for years, decades, and even centuries to come. Finally, the pursuit of flourishing within boundaries relies on thinking rationally, globally, and above all, through a long-term and regenerative perspective.
Highlights
Western societies have benefited from reductionist thinking in science over complex one, especially with regard to the emphasis on the Cartesian and Newtonian analysis and its mechanistic understanding of nature [1,2]
Approach formulation and assumptions: Bibliographic research was conducted focusing on transdisciplinary discussions aimed at fostering a flourishing society vis-à-vis the long-term challenges posed by global sustainability
Given the ever-shifting nature inherently associated with global sustainability and socio-ecological systems, it is designed to present an adaptable and scalable solution, thereby offering a touchstone for further improvements
Summary
Western societies have benefited from reductionist thinking in science over complex one, especially with regard to the emphasis on the Cartesian and Newtonian analysis and its mechanistic understanding of nature [1,2]. Reductionistic thinking is far from sufficient for the development of a complete set of knowledge and skills required to become effective in addressing complex problems [1,2,7,8]. Reductionist thinking is mostly inclined to model the world in terms of linear relations and single causes producing single effects, examining one or at most a few things at a time, and overlooking interdependencies, delays, and boundaries [1,2,18]. Nonlinearities and self-organization are often sacrificed for short-term productivity, stability, and predictability [2]. Nonlinearities regulate a system’s functionality, alter the dominance of interconnections within the system, and shift the system’s behavior from one mode to another [21]
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