Scale, Causality, Complexity and Emergence: Rethinking Scale's Ontological Significance
Scale remains a pivotal yet highly contentious concept in geography. I survey the lively discussions engaged in recently by many critical/ radical geographers regarding the theoretical status of scale. While these discussions have been intellectually fruitful, I argue that much more needs to be said...
Veröffentlicht in: | Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers. - Royal Geographical Society (With the Institute of British Geographers), 1935. - 34(2009), 4, Seite 462-474 |
---|---|
1. Verfasser: | |
Format: | Online-Aufsatz |
Sprache: | English |
Veröffentlicht: |
2009
|
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk: | Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers |
Schlagworte: | scale causality ontology Aristotle complex systems theory poultry industry Physical sciences Philosophy Biological sciences mehr... |
Zusammenfassung: | Scale remains a pivotal yet highly contentious concept in geography. I survey the lively discussions engaged in recently by many critical/ radical geographers regarding the theoretical status of scale. While these discussions have been intellectually fruitful, I argue that much more needs to be said. Drawing from complex systems theory, I argue that scale should be understood as an ontological category essential to understanding causality. Revalorising Aristotle's four categories of cause - formal, final, material and efficient - from two centuries of positivist thinking facilitates this endeavour. Research on the relationship between university-based poultry scientists and the poultry industry illustrates the explanatory potential of poly-scalar analysis. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 14755661 |